Jonah

I’ve been studying Jonah with a few ladies and it’s just been so good! I would say I knew the story of Jonah but more from a children’s Bible story type perspective. I’ve had some take aways I never saw coming and it’s just been such a gift…

Previous take away…don’t be like Jonah…do what God says. 

New…. 

The sailors on the ship with Jonah have melted me. They were terrified. They did not know God. And here they were going through all of this…because of Jonah. Makes me ponder….Who else am I causing turmoil for when I do not obey?

They cast lots and Jonah is the reason for what is going on. Jonah tells them who God is. He tells them to throw him over, that is the solution to the sea storm problem. Even after this, they try with all their might to row the boat and get it under control. They do not want an innocent man’s blood on their hands but they have no choice but to throw him over. 

Walk with me here…from their perspective…I assume they think Jonah died, they have no clue how the story ends.  Maybe they saw him get swallowed by a fish or maybe they just saw him sinking into the sea but either way he is gone. After they throw him over the storm calms and they worship the Lord. Crazy, bad, insane things happen that we do not understand…. but we can still worship God.

The thing I want most in life is to know my babies love the Lord. These sailors did not know how Jonah’s story ended. They did not need to know it would all be okay, they did not have to understand God’s plan…..they worshipped the Lord. Period. I do not need to know the answer to how it will all unfold. I just need to worship the Lord. 

There may be people in your life who’s disobedience is bringing a storm into your boat/life…it’s okay to toss them out. Your relationship with God, your head space, your heart  should not be wavering, let it go and turn and worship the Lord. (God is still in watching over them too!)

How many times have I tried to row my boat through the storm when I just needed to give God the problem and let him calm the storm? 

Ahhh so much to Jonah! 

And another nugget….without Jonah’s disobedience we do not know if these sailors would have ever gotten to come to know the Lord. This just shows us how BIG God is. He can use our mess ups, our disobedience. How beautiful and amazing is that!

(Throw back pictures to that one time lived on an island for a few months)