Doing the opposite of what is instructed is not a malady which only affects my children. On occasion, I have fallen victim to that particular difficulty myself. If you tell me I cannot achieve something, you most likely will need to be prepared to watch me try. It’s a stubborn trait that I have not only inherited from both set of grandparents, but also a persistent attribute I have passed along to the next generation.
One of our children, though, has a tenacity that continuously amazes us in pleasant ways. That one has rarely known true failure because the resolve is to achieve, to accomplish, to succeed. It’s a beautiful thing to watch when a mind is fixed on triumph. Even more beautiful is when that triumph is rooted in faith. This child of ours turns to Jesus at every decision, every movement, every conclusion. I believe the relationship between decision making and faithful living is what makes for ultimate triumph, and I love watching our offspring be a good example to us as parents. Living as a servant in God’s will is non-negotiable for that one. I suppose having a stubborn streak isn’t always such a bad thing.
When God sent word to Jonah to get up and go to Nineveh, Jonah also displayed a stubborn streak – but perhaps in a little less faithful way. “The Lord’s word came to Jonah… ‘Get up and go to Nineveh…’ So Jonah got up….”
If we stopped reading right there, we might think this was headed in that faithful direction, but those next few words change everything. “So Jonah got up – to flee to Tarshish from the Lord!” (Jonah 1:1-3, NRSV) Yikes. Ninevah and Tarshish are not in the same direction. In this case, doing the opposite of what is instructed carries God’s servant right out of God’s will, and the result is disastrous.
Thanks be to God that the story never ends in disaster. God always has a plan that restores health and well-being to God’s people. After a bit of harsh living, God calls to Jonah a second time, and this time Jonah follows instruction. He goes to Ninevah and preaches God’s message to the people there. The result is repentance of the people and mercy from God.
We aren’t given a distinct reason why Jonah ran from God in the first place, but the message to us is strong. First, we surmise that doing the opposite of what is instructed by God is a condition which affects everyone. We all make bad decisions; we all turn in the wrong direction. Second, we learn that God always provides a way to return to the right path. We just need to be open to receiving and following the instructions. Finally, we realize that faithful living takes effort and intentionality – especially if we have strayed in the first place.
I’m relieved to recognize that stubbornness can be a strength. However, if we do not manage our strengths appropriately, they have the capacity to become liabilities. Jonah reminds me that I have the power to live in or out of God’s will. With God’s help, I always want to head toward Ninevah.
Firmly determined,
Pastor Beth
One of our children, though, has a tenacity that continuously amazes us in pleasant ways. That one has rarely known true failure because the resolve is to achieve, to accomplish, to succeed. It’s a beautiful thing to watch when a mind is fixed on triumph. Even more beautiful is when that triumph is rooted in faith. This child of ours turns to Jesus at every decision, every movement, every conclusion. I believe the relationship between decision making and faithful living is what makes for ultimate triumph, and I love watching our offspring be a good example to us as parents. Living as a servant in God’s will is non-negotiable for that one. I suppose having a stubborn streak isn’t always such a bad thing.
When God sent word to Jonah to get up and go to Nineveh, Jonah also displayed a stubborn streak – but perhaps in a little less faithful way. “The Lord’s word came to Jonah… ‘Get up and go to Nineveh…’ So Jonah got up….”
If we stopped reading right there, we might think this was headed in that faithful direction, but those next few words change everything. “So Jonah got up – to flee to Tarshish from the Lord!” (Jonah 1:1-3, NRSV) Yikes. Ninevah and Tarshish are not in the same direction. In this case, doing the opposite of what is instructed carries God’s servant right out of God’s will, and the result is disastrous.
Thanks be to God that the story never ends in disaster. God always has a plan that restores health and well-being to God’s people. After a bit of harsh living, God calls to Jonah a second time, and this time Jonah follows instruction. He goes to Ninevah and preaches God’s message to the people there. The result is repentance of the people and mercy from God.
We aren’t given a distinct reason why Jonah ran from God in the first place, but the message to us is strong. First, we surmise that doing the opposite of what is instructed by God is a condition which affects everyone. We all make bad decisions; we all turn in the wrong direction. Second, we learn that God always provides a way to return to the right path. We just need to be open to receiving and following the instructions. Finally, we realize that faithful living takes effort and intentionality – especially if we have strayed in the first place.
I’m relieved to recognize that stubbornness can be a strength. However, if we do not manage our strengths appropriately, they have the capacity to become liabilities. Jonah reminds me that I have the power to live in or out of God’s will. With God’s help, I always want to head toward Ninevah.
Firmly determined,
Pastor Beth