Answering the Call
This weekend, we heard the story of Jonah and Ninevah. I love Jonah's little temper tantrum response and how it doesn't get him anywhere.
God calls him to go to the people of Ninevah to convert them from their wicked ways. This historical enemy of Israel sitting halfway between the Mediterranean and Caspian seas was about the last place he would want to go. So, rather than heading inland, he jumps onto a boat.
The complete wrong way.
Of course, we know the story. God sends a storm, Jonah gets thrown overboard, gets eaten by a whale, and is finally spit back out on the shore.
Try again. This time in the general land direction...
When he is in Ninevah, Jonah tells them of their wrongdoing. Rather than being beaten, rejected, or killed, he is believed. The city completely changes its ways.
Two invitations, two completely different responses. One from the people of God, and one from the enemy of God's people. It's the kind of parallel Jesus makes in the Good Samaritan story.
It doesn't matter who you are or what you claim to be. It doesn't matter what your starting point is or what your destination might be. You are being called and invited every day. You are being sent or you are being corrected. How are you responding?
Will you listen? Will you run? Will you be turned?
