God’s Call

Jonah knew what he wanted to do. He might have thought that he was serving God, but he wasn’t interested when he learned that God wanted him to travel to Nineveh. This assignment would have taken him to a hostile land, involving a trip of more than 700 miles to the east. Instead, Jonah went in the opposition direction, boarding a ship sailing for Tarshish, heading west by sea.

Jonah must have thought his way was best. But God knew better. He intervened, hurling hurricane-force winds with such power that the professional sailors aboard felt that the ship was breaking apart.

Jonah should have known that God was trying to get his attention. Instead, he escaped into sleep. After the captain woke him up, Jonah joined the other travelers casting lots, and it became clear that their troubles were caused by Jonah’s flight. Only after he was thrown overboard did the sea stop raging.

All of us should sympathize with Jonah. For we all have our own plans. There are things we don’t want to do. It can be easy to want to resist or run away from God’s call. To go our own way.

From a human perspective, it can be difficult to obey God unconditionally. To trust that He knows best. It can even be difficult to recognize when He tries to get our attention, through storms or other interruptions. But God knows us better than we know ourselves. And He knows that we never will find true peace and fulfillment apart from serving Him.

Today, remember that God has prepared rich blessings for you. He has a great plan for your life. But to receive these blessings, and find maximum fulfillment, you need to follow His plans. Don’t resist Him. Commit your life anew to Him. Listen to His voice. Follow His call.