Great Wind. Violent Storm.
Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. All the sailors were afraid, and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship.
Jonah 1:4,5
Returning to the series on weather in the bible, we come to the Story of Jonah. In this Old Testament book, God uses a storm to convince Jonah to stop running away from what he needed to do.
Wicked Nineveh.
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves too much. In this story, God calls Jonah to go to Nineveh. Nineveh was a wicked town. Jonah didn’t think he was up to the task, so he jumped onto a ship traveling in the opposite direction. He thought he could outrun and outsmart God.
Threat. Confession.
Then there was this storm that came out of the blue. It was so severe it threatened the safety of the ships’ crew, and they drew lots to see who was responsible. It pointed to Jonah, who was then forced to confess his disobedience to God.
3 Days & 3 Nights
A great fish, perhaps a whale, swallowed Jonah after the crew threw him overboard into the violent sea. Jonah had plenty of time to think about God while he was in the belly of the fish. Three days and three nights. Jonah finally prayed to God, and the fish spit him out.
Lessons Learned
#1. The Importance of Second Chances.
#2. Sometimes, We Need to Run Away in Order to See Things Differently
#3. You Can’t Outsmart God.
The story of Jonah teaches us some important lessons about obedience, forgiveness, and second chances. It reminds us that it’s essential to listen to God and do what He asks of us, even if it’s difficult or uncomfortable. It also shows us that God is merciful and forgiving, always ready to give us another chance when we mess up. And finally, it reminds us that no matter how far we may have strayed from the right path, it’s never too late to turn back to God and seek His forgiveness.
The next we hear God’s calling, and we don’t want to do what’s right, remember the Story of Jonah.
Follow God’s instructions even if we think we are not up to the task.
Be patient and compassionate as God was with Jonah.
Trust God to guide us back to where we need to be.
These lessons encourage us to reflect on our lives and consider our relationship with God.
Are you good?
Take a deep breath in. Exhale slowly.
Let’s inhale willingness to follow God and exhale our selfishness.
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I and Thou Reflections 