I'd Rather be Swallowed by a Whale...

Most of us have heard the story of Jonah, and as a child hearing this story I often wondered why? Why in the world would you run from God? Don’t you know that that is legit impossible, Jonah? Like, come on man! What do you think you're doing, you can't run from God? As I've gotten older, I've come to understand Jonah, and I too would rather be swallowed by a whale...

Jonah was being called by God to do exactly what God has created Him to do. Why then would he run away? You think about just how terrifying it would be to know you are the one God has chosen. He doesn't have the backups waiting outside. It is all up to you. That idea is terrifying. I need the backups on hand ready to run in and fix all my mistakes. The scariest sentences to hear are “God is using you,” “God is going to use you,” or “I see God in you.” However, these compliments are also really exciting until you focus on it from the human perspective instead of the follower perspective. When others lift us up, or we are being called to use our strengths, so quickly we become full of ourselves, and we think we are successful and strong because of ourselves.

As I was preparing to leave for Lynchburg to start my time studying at Liberty University all I wanted to do was get swallowed by a whale. Seriously y'all it was such a weirdly peaceful thought. Because, like the logic of a child, if I close my eyes and I can’t see the challenge ahead then maybe, just maybe I’ll slip out unnoticed. As an individual who has contemplated the comfort of the idea of being swallowed by a whale I must inform you that even when you run from where God wants you, He will still use you, you’re just taking the long way around. God’s ability to thrive isn’t based on us. God thrives even when we merely survive. In no way do we take away from the success of our creator. He still uses us, and as His servants, we are called to not run away but to run towards our Nineveh(or callings) and lead others to the sweet freedom we have found.

Jonah is famous for being swallowed by a whale, but there is another part we know about his story. This second part just makes me relate to him even more. Jonah is so human, and it brings me excitement and comfort to know that I serve the same God he did. Jonah went to Nineveh and did what God instructed him to do, telling them that in forty days the city would be overthrown. However, the people repented, and God showed mercy to the city. In verse two of chapter four is where we see Jonah have a moment of trying or wanting to be God as he states "O Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster." It's as if Jonah is saying "I told you so God if we only would have stuck with my plan." Nothing worth doing comes easy, and when we trust Christ fully often nothing we do makes sense at first. In God's will for our lives, there is always more going on than we could ever see or imagine. Jonah saw a task that needed to be done of overthrowing Nineveh, and he knew he had no control of the outcome. He also knew the love of the God he served and knew that the Lord's merciful heart would gracefully give to His children in abundance.

It's okay to be human and desire to have control of your life or be swallowed by a whale. Since creation we've tried to be God. If you feel a little too human this week, read Jonah and relate to our brother as you realize God will continue to thrive even when we merely survive. As followers of Christ, we do what is right not what is easy.

#SarahElizabeth #fear #purpose #control