Running Away

Jonah knew what he was supposed to do. He was commissioned to go east to Nineveh, but he went to the sailing company and bought a ticket to go far away to the west. Maybe he was afraid or confused or simply unwilling to accept God’s command. Perhaps he thought he knew better. God gave him the freedom to disobey and to choose his own path, but he also responded with a storm and later allowed Jonah to have an unpleasant stay in the stomach of a whale. Later Jonah argued his case with God, but eventually he went to Nineveh as originally proposed.

Like Jonah, we may resist God’s leading, reasoning that something else is more appealing or more likely to be successful. Deep down we may be wilful, angry or just plain scared. God gives us the freedom to choose our own path, but he will meet us on whatever turn of the path we take and will lead us further on the good route he has for us. As our Saviour and deliverer, God responds to our decisions with more promptings to follow the purpose he has set for us and calls us to grow in faith and trust.