1. The assignment.
There was an assignment given to Jonah by God. It wasn’t an easy one. So, Jonah did his best to escape from that assignment. He chose to run away from God rather than obey Him. Sometimes we find ourselves wanting to run away too, simply because the assignment costs some sacrifice, we lack faith or we have fear of failure. No matter what the reason is, it is best to obey God than to run away from Him. Your assignment is an important segment of your purpose. The more you obey God, the closer you’re headed to fulfilling the purpose and calling of your life. You were created by God and for God, until you understand that, life will never make sense (Rick Warren). If you know your assignment, head towards it. And if life doesn’t make sense, run towards God, to know your life’s purpose. You’re created by God. You didn’t create yourself, so there is no way you can tell yourself what you were created for.
_What’s your assignment? And where are you headed?_
2. God has chosen you.
You’re chosen by God to do this particular assignment. And no matter what stops you, God is not going to give up on you. God has His own way to each us to obey and follow Him. The Lord can send you great wind and violent storms, to pull you back from the opposite direction you are heading to. So, instead of having a rebellion and a stubborn heart, gaze at the heart of God and understand His purpose for your life. From the life of Jonah, we see how God stopped him and turned him around. Saying yes to God brings new understanding and purpose to the world. I am certain that God who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished, Phil.1:6.
_Are you willing to say yes to God?_
3. When you disobey.
When Jonah disobeyed God, his life didn’t get easy. Along with Jonah, the lives of everyone else on the ship were also in danger. When you’re called by God, you have a huge spiritual responsibility. Not taking the call of God in your life, can seriously mess up your life. Also, it’ll
affect the lives of everyone around you. The Holy Spirit is nudging you every time and asking you to turn to God. While the storm rose, Jonah slept. Don’t sleep on your calling, let not a day go by, where you haven’t opened your eyes and ears to God. God is calling and waiting for you every single day. Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart. Heb.4:7
_Did you hear and obey His voice today?_
God chose Jonah and gave him an assignment. Even when Jonah ran away from it, God was still in control. God made Jonah turn back to the assignment. When Jonah told the fellow travellers to throw him into the sea, God saved him by letting him be swallowed by a whale. Jonah didn’t rebel anymore, but just thanked and praised God for the grace He granted. God let him come out of the Whale’s mouth and Jonah headed towards his assignment. Through it all, we see that everything worked for the best and the plan of God was fulfilled. The same is with your life too. Take a decision today, no matter what stage or phase of life you’re in, just run as close as possible to God. Because that is where all the answers lie. In His presence is, where everything is beautiful. Doing things in your life by yourself will always be a difficult one. Just taste and see that the Lord is good. Ask no one else, but your Creator, for what purpose He has created you? Run towards your assignment. Believe in the power of obeying the voice of God. Say yes to God always. Surrender yourself to Him every single day and see for yourself how God will turn your mourning into dancing.
Mrs. Sandhya Palan
U. B. M Christa Shanti Church, Marol.
