A Look In The Mirror

Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port.

Jonah 1:3

How many times has God asked us to do something that we didn’t want to do?

Perhaps the Lord asked you to be the first to apologize when you disagreed with your spouse—and the argument wasn’t even your fault. Or He asked that you take a meal to your grumpy neighbor even though He knew you already had made other plans for the evening. Or perhaps God asked you to give away the new jacket you absolutely loved and had worn only once.

It’s easy to act when the task is in our wheelhouse, or when we like the person who asks us to help. But we need some help to stretch past our limits when the cost of obedience feels too high, or when we simply don’t like the people to whom He has sent us.

Did you realize you have so much in common with Jonah? He had to learn to build faithfulness, even when he didn’t like where he was sent or who he was sent to. His first instinct was to run away, to resist what God had called him to do.

If you’re running the other way, turn around now. Shake off that reluctance and embrace what God has called you to do.

Lord God, thank You for using Your living and active Word to make me a stronger and better follower. Show me how to stay committed to Your calling in all situations.