Today’s scripture selection: Jonah
Key verse: Jonah 4:2
It was a message that Jonah simply didn’t want to deliver.
Why?
Because it was a message of hope; and warning; and the potential for forgiveness and mercy. Why would Jonah not want to deliver such a message? Because it was to be given, from God, to one of Israel’s enemies – the Assyrians.
So Jonah, the reluctant prophet, took flight.
Now, of course, you can’t run away from God – or His call on your life.
And that’s what I find most intriguing about this ancient story.
When God questioned why Jonah had run away from his calling, Jonah answered:
“I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.”
God helped Jonah understand that he should not get in the way of His desire to reach out in love to everyone – even the people Jonah hated.
He also helped the prophet understand that he should have followed through on his job – the job God had given him to do.
These are important lessons for us as well.
We all have the capacity, and the calling, to reach out to others as instruments of God’s grace. We can all be part of the solution to the world’s ills – instead of part of the problem.
That’s God desire for each of us.
The only question is – are we willing to answer the call?
Prayer: Lord, give me the courage to be your instrument of reconciliation – whenever and wherever you call me. AMEN.
