Running From God is Not the Answer

Jonah 1:12 (KJV): “And he said to them, pick me up and throw me into the sea, then the sea will be calm for you.  For I know that this great tempest is because of me.,,vs 15: So they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea ceased its raging.”

Running from God is not the answer.  The run toward the ship to Tarshish is always avoidance of some sort.  That very ship that seems to be the answer really is a part of the problem.  Who or what is a refuge, except God?  All others, are a man-centered, works orientation.  

Jonah’s example models mankind’s avoidance pattern including his passive aggressive nap.  He did very little, yet he controlled everything…he thought.  God ultimately is in control.  The storms that threaten to destroy the “ship to Tarshish,” are there to invoke a positive response.  In this case, Jonah’s confession.  He had to admit his part in the storm’s assault on the ship.  Avoidance usually causes distress to not only self but to others.  

Jonah’s answer included facing what he feared…a lack of control.  The answer was to be cast into the ocean of God’s mercy.  A big fish swallowed him; not to do him harm, but to give him another ride to where God wanted him to go.  This big fish was under the control of the ultimate Captain for all journeys.  When the end of self is come, God’s way opens up the doors to all kinds of answers.  They are not always pleasant.  

Jonah was in that place of dying to self.  He did not know that in three days, he would be spit up on dry ground.  He did not want to go to Tarshish because these people were enemies who had probably at some point killed some of Jonah’s family.  He knew God would be merciful to them, and He did not want any part of it.  

Forgiveness and letting go are a part of the death to self.  The call of God to make disciples of all nations will include working with those who are not favorites.  The truth of this means more death to self.  Jonah’s story is a metaphor for life’s journey.  Living the disciple’s life is an opportunity to heal self and others.  It seems that Jonah was melancholy throughout this story.  Given that, he knew that God’s mercy extended even to those to whom he did not want to minister.