We want to go our own way

by Claire Axcell

1 The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.”

3 But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord.

Jonah 1:1-3 

It’s no secret that I’ve had more careers and years in education than some have had hot dinners.

Each time I’ve approached these areas of my life, it’s always been with the intention that ‘oh this is it, this is what I’ll be doing for the rest of my life.’ Then inevitably God will show up, tell me, ‘nope. Go there, here, do this, that.’

I remember when I was a lot younger and God telling me to lay down my performing arts career hopes (it really was for the best in hindsight). I pushed against his edict for months before finally giving in. I did this whilst moodily sitting in my back garden with my journal, dramatic tears flowing down my cheek gazing at the sky saying ‘ok God.’

It was not the first, nor the last time God would ask me to lay something down for him. I’d like to say I was a smidge more obedient the next time, I can’t be sure.

I do know that it wasn’t done with a one woman amateur dramatic production in my back garden. I will say this, I think I’ve done far more walking with God than I ever would on my own.

When we look at the story of Jonah, I think we can be a bit judgemental of the guy.

Why was he disobeying God, what was he doing?

Sometimes I think context is key to understanding. Historically the people of Nineveh were horrendously scary, they were very well known for their treatment of their prisoners, slaves, (which I shall not go into) and anyone unfortunate enough to darken their doorstep.

Honestly, I probably would have got on that ship as well! However, God is not without his sense of irony in Jonah’s story

Imagine Jonah showing up in Nineveh looking like fifty miles of bad road with a crazy story about being swallowed by a fish. As if anyone would take him seriously?!

Actually, as it turns out, the Ninevites worshipped a god called Dagon who was a half man half fish. His story met them where they were at and led to their repentance to where God wanted them.

The whole city from the King down turned in submission to God and was spared.

As humans we naturally want to go our own way and don’t really like being told what to do. However, when we walk with God, giving him the small and the big things. We get the privilege of seeing his mercy and grace move in the life of those we interact with, and it is awesome.

Father,

Thank you that you are so patient with us even when we struggle. Help us to be attentive to your leadings in our life, help us to lay down those things that you want us to and help us to be obedient to your call in our lives.

In your name

Amen