The past couple weeks I've been diving (pun intended) into the story of Jonah. We all know that he spent three days in the belly of the beast, but do you know how he got there? Jonah decided to disobey God by going towards another city. Jonah got on a boat to run away from where God had told him to go. Here are my three key takeaways from Jonah's story: 1) God will use "bumpers," 2) God can use you whether or not you're available, and 3) God is bigger than anything you can even dream of.
1) God will use "Bumpers"
Jonah decided not to go towards Nineveh, instead he headed towards Tarshish. Jonah is on a boat with other sailors and as they are traveling they encounter a great storm. The storm was so great that the ship "threatened to break up." This storm and the risk to the ship was great enough for the sailors to start throwing cargo off of the ship and cry out to their own gods. What was happening? I am fortunate to know a bumper when I see one, and this is a bumper. Just like bowling as a kid, the ball is rolling towards the gutter away from the pins, but God has created something to get you back on course! Sometimes those bumps are little nudges and other times they are huge fierce storms that will certainly capsize your boat! In my own experience I can tell you that typically when I feel a bumper, it is a rather big one. I can get by the small ones by just saying: "Oh it's okay, that stuff just happens." WRONG. When you are actively pursuing the word of God and committing yourself to obedience, I promise you the bumps will be smaller than if you are not.
2) God CAN use you no Matter your Availability
Jonah's shipmates started praying to their gods and their idols, but the ship was continuing the have trouble as the storm grew more and more fierce. At one point, the captain told Jonah to "Get up and call on YOUR God" because then maybe God will take notice of everyone and they will not perish! Look at that, the resources of the pagans did not work and so they then focused on the one and True God. God used everyone in this situation to shift the focus to Him. The storm, the pagans, and Jonah running away! Have you ever been called out by someone who isn't a believer in Jesus? I know I have! What was your response? Did it give you an opportunity to show them your faith and your trust in God and potentially put a pebble in their shoe about who our God is? Sometimes your own pivot can be a powerful tool for yourself and others around you.
3) God is Bigger than Anything you can Dream
Are you serious? You want us to throw you into the raging sea that is going to capsize our boat? How is that going to fix anything? You'll just be killed! I'm using the word of God to imply what the other sailors were thinking. Jonah knew what he had to do though, even if it didn't make sense. He knew he was running away and that he needed to give control to God. Jonah said: "Pick me up and throw me into the sea and it will become calm." The sailors didn't want to do that immediately. They decided to row harder, but they ended up spinning their wheels. What is in front of you that seems crazy? Does it seem crazy, but is obedient to the word of God? So many times obedience to God seems crazy to our secular world and even within our churches, but this story of Jonah shows that God is faithful!
Obedience isn't easy....when you're on top of the mountain, or when you're in the stormy seas. What obedience is though is trusting in God and being AVAILABLE for Him. Jonah went into the sea and what happened? No he didn't die! Jonah first and foremost made an impact on the sailors! Those pagans right then and there were shown through Jonah that his God is the one true God and the sailors immediately turned their focus and life towards Him. God didn't need Jonah to have the ability to swim like Phelps back to shore, God just needed Jonah's availability.
This week I hope you focus on your availability for God. What does that look like to you? What parts of your life can you be more available to Him? What situations or circumstances are you in where you simply need to throw yourself overboard into the loving arms of our Savior Jesus Christ?! For with Him the waters are calm and your use is great.
Have a great week!
Cameron
1) God will use "Bumpers"
Jonah decided not to go towards Nineveh, instead he headed towards Tarshish. Jonah is on a boat with other sailors and as they are traveling they encounter a great storm. The storm was so great that the ship "threatened to break up." This storm and the risk to the ship was great enough for the sailors to start throwing cargo off of the ship and cry out to their own gods. What was happening? I am fortunate to know a bumper when I see one, and this is a bumper. Just like bowling as a kid, the ball is rolling towards the gutter away from the pins, but God has created something to get you back on course! Sometimes those bumps are little nudges and other times they are huge fierce storms that will certainly capsize your boat! In my own experience I can tell you that typically when I feel a bumper, it is a rather big one. I can get by the small ones by just saying: "Oh it's okay, that stuff just happens." WRONG. When you are actively pursuing the word of God and committing yourself to obedience, I promise you the bumps will be smaller than if you are not.
2) God CAN use you no Matter your Availability
Jonah's shipmates started praying to their gods and their idols, but the ship was continuing the have trouble as the storm grew more and more fierce. At one point, the captain told Jonah to "Get up and call on YOUR God" because then maybe God will take notice of everyone and they will not perish! Look at that, the resources of the pagans did not work and so they then focused on the one and True God. God used everyone in this situation to shift the focus to Him. The storm, the pagans, and Jonah running away! Have you ever been called out by someone who isn't a believer in Jesus? I know I have! What was your response? Did it give you an opportunity to show them your faith and your trust in God and potentially put a pebble in their shoe about who our God is? Sometimes your own pivot can be a powerful tool for yourself and others around you.
3) God is Bigger than Anything you can Dream
Are you serious? You want us to throw you into the raging sea that is going to capsize our boat? How is that going to fix anything? You'll just be killed! I'm using the word of God to imply what the other sailors were thinking. Jonah knew what he had to do though, even if it didn't make sense. He knew he was running away and that he needed to give control to God. Jonah said: "Pick me up and throw me into the sea and it will become calm." The sailors didn't want to do that immediately. They decided to row harder, but they ended up spinning their wheels. What is in front of you that seems crazy? Does it seem crazy, but is obedient to the word of God? So many times obedience to God seems crazy to our secular world and even within our churches, but this story of Jonah shows that God is faithful!
Obedience isn't easy....when you're on top of the mountain, or when you're in the stormy seas. What obedience is though is trusting in God and being AVAILABLE for Him. Jonah went into the sea and what happened? No he didn't die! Jonah first and foremost made an impact on the sailors! Those pagans right then and there were shown through Jonah that his God is the one true God and the sailors immediately turned their focus and life towards Him. God didn't need Jonah to have the ability to swim like Phelps back to shore, God just needed Jonah's availability.
This week I hope you focus on your availability for God. What does that look like to you? What parts of your life can you be more available to Him? What situations or circumstances are you in where you simply need to throw yourself overboard into the loving arms of our Savior Jesus Christ?! For with Him the waters are calm and your use is great.
Have a great week!
Cameron
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