Jonah 1:3

New International Version

But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord.

For Encouragement

Jonah lay down and fell into a deep sleep. And why not? 

It is exhausting to run from the Lord, and the man had done just that. The prophet never intended to travel to Nineveh to warn them of God’s impending wrath, neither did he care for them, for he had sat in judgment of the Assyrians and found them guilty of high treason, punishable by death without mercy. God had misspoken. Nineveh did not deserve a warning or call to repent (Jonah 1:2).

Jonah had a plan. He could go in the opposite direction, far from Nineveh, where God wanted him. Now, stop there and reflect on the emotional stress that went into his plotting, planning, and execution. Think about the time and energy he spent at this stage. Was he coming back or not? How could he hide his secret plan from this watchful God?

Have I reminded you of something—a time you heard God calling you for a specific assignment? You had planned very well and scheduled to the last period. Everything looked good, and the prospect of a successful year gazed at your smiley face—a reflection of a contented life. The degree you coveted most now hung in your stately office, and people were recognizing you. Your achievement had done well on social media, and the likes and favorable comments delighted your heart. God has been good to you, and you did not neglect to praise Him in your postings and conversation.

Sweet money!

Several possibilities abounded to enhance your financial standing among your peers, but Divine interruption!

God came knocking on your heart to respond to His call. Do you remember, and how did you react?

Did you attribute this call to the devil and tell him to get behind you|? Was it not stressful rationalizing and scheming to hide behind certain acts of goodness in church, like financial donations, etc., thinking you were doing enough already? 

Ah!

Now we know how much of a Jonah is in each of us.

The Lord may not have caused a storm to flush you out of your disobedience yet, but let me ask a personal question, my friend.

How far can you go, hiding from the Omniscient, Omnipresent, and Omnipotent God you serve?

May I suggest you read David in Psalm 139:1-18 to refresh your memory?

What would it take to shake you from your deep sleep, as the captain did for Jonah? What awakening could provoke the confession of your disobedience and surrender to His call on your life?

May this Christmas bring you to the point of total surrender to His will, and may His grace suffice for you, amen!