The story of Jonah is pretty well known, but we are diving a lot deeper into the angry prophet as he was called in church the past few weeks. What I have learned from Jonah so far is this;

1. He didn’t like what God called him to so he ran

2. He went as far as he possibly could to avoid God’s task because he hate Ninevah and its people

3. When he ended up in the whale, his heart posture changed. He knew he needed a second chance and asked for it.

4. He went to Ninevah (after being spit up by a whale on dry land) and told the people that if they don’t repent, God is destroying the city.

Of course, we are all more like Jonah than we want to admit. Sometimes, we are called to do hard things. A recent example for me is God calling me to pray for a couple of individuals that I am not fond of. Do I want to do this? Not especially. Am I the best person to pray for people who have attempted to make my life harder over and over again? Not always. Will I be obedient to God’s call? I will do my best. God calls us to be obedient and puts us in situations that will allow us to choose whether or not to follow Him. Jonah started off with a choice of disobedience, but God pursued him none the less and gave him a second chance. God also gives us second chances to follow him and be obedient. God can bring us from the darkest depths of despair into a new life if we let Him. It amazes me how God pursues us every day. He wants our hearts and for us to trust Him with all things in our lives. How amazing is that love? How fantastic is it that we are searched for by the creator of the universe? That’s a strong love.