Jonah and I have been hanging out together this week.
I doubt it’s a coincidence that God had me turn the pages over to the Old Testament book of Jonah Monday morning. Remember a few days ago I mentioned a P.P.P. (pathetic pity party) – so, it is only fair to assume that my heavenly Dad put me in the same boat (small pun here) with Jonah.
Man, what a disobedient, rebellious fool Jonah was, I am. I can almost smell the seaweed breath. The whole accident, hubs gets a new car, I drive the old truck patheticism (yes, it’s a word, NOW) probably caused Jesus to roll His eyes for a second or two.
However, I think I repented in time before too much damage was done. Now, I’m confessing to you, my readers. Forgive me, please.
Thank you. Sincerely, thank you.
Here’s my counsel to you…when you are feeling…
blue,
left out,
why me,
why not her,
she gets this,
I get that…
open The Book and read Jonah, four short chapters and about 40 long lessons! He teaches us all the things NOT TO DO!
- When God tells you to do something: DON’T RUN AWAY! (1.3)
- When you know you’re in rebellion? Don’t start sleeping. (1.5)
- When things turn out better for others than for yourself? Don’t get angry. (4.1)
- Don’t ever wish yourself dead. (4.3)
- Quit being overly concerned over things that don’t concern you. (4.8-10)
I want to give Jonah credit where credit is due. He was obedient to God’s instruction the second time around (3.1-3). Thank You, for second chances, Lord!
In 1979, I had a Jonah experience. I did all the things listed above as “things not to do.” I lived in the stench and decay of a rotting world of sin, then one glorious, and extremely sweet day, my Abba Father showed His mercy toward me, yet again, and…
tossed me unto dry land! (2.10)
I am forever grateful.
xo
[PostScript] I love Bible Gateway – makes researching and writing ever-so-much-easier!!!
Tossed you onto dry land. That image is going to stick with me for a long time. I have been reading through Genesis this week. I am reading the Bible along with Wendy Speake. Jonah really does teach us some lessons about what NOT to do doesn’t he? But then he obeys. I too am so thankful for second chances! 🙂
Tara, I’d be dead without second, third, and a few seventh chances!!!!
Love your writings!! 🙂 Keep it up. Jonah has been a topic here also.
That Jonah! Keeps turning up, doesn’t he!
GREAT lesson Susan. I love how you broke down to 5 points of what we shouldn’t do! It’s also encouraging to know that even though Jonah messed up big time God thought his story was worthy of being in the word of God so that millions of other souls could learn from him! It’s amazing.
Natalie, that always blows my mind too. Pitiful Jonah included in the Holy Word of God! But, then again, God uses the foolishness of this world to confound the wise!
Tara, #4 really resonated with me…not because I want to die, but because I’m rather tired of people close to me wishing I HAD already died, so that I would be “out of my misery”. Out of their sight, more like it.
I still have work to do here, and God disposes. People like that are a royal pain in the…donkey.
Ha!
Andrew, what an attitude you have! God has a plan and until He sees it to completion, you’ll be around! God bless you brother.
Sometimes we just don’t understand that plan. Our friends son n law is dying of cancer, age 35. His wife just gave birth last wk, little Addison Grace named after daddy Adam. Kaitlyn is 5 yrs old. Adam has this will to live was give just days two wks ago but determined to c Addison b born. He will transfer to nursing /hospice soon. Please pray for this beautiful family. Webster family, Jenn, Adam, Addison n Kaitlyn. God has a plan that is hard to understand but we must b faithful.
Merry, what a heartbreaking story. Will pray.