"Stop rockin' the boat, just leave"

Jonah 1-3

How do you handle direction? If God where to tell you to move to a different state, find a new job, or just some major change in your life how would you handle it? Would you consider where God is sending you, to whom He is sending, or maybe you would ask yourself "How does this benefit me?" 

I look at Jonah, God give Him clear direction to go speak to a rebellious people but Jonah rejected that notion and went the opposite direction (Jonah 1:1-3). But God got His attention by giving Jonah the worst cruise experience ever and followed it up by making Jonah seafood (Jonah 7-17).
Jonah did relent and do what the Lord had directed him to do (Jonah 2). But it took God allowing that adversity in the life of Jonah for Jonah to change his mind and obediently follow God.

So I ask you are you following God? Has God provided you with clear direction and you have clearly gone the opposite way? Is God calling out of a corporate office and into international missions. Is God calling you out of the pulpit and into an office. Is God calling you to go a speak with your next door neighbor. Is God calling you to humble yourself and take a job that does not pay well. Or God may even be calling you to share Christ with your enemy. But I assure you God is calling you to do something but if you neglect to obedient to the call do not be shocked when He "rocks your boat", and much like Jonah, God does not "rock your boat" to take His anger out on you. No He is simply trying to get you headed in the right direction. He wants you to see the bigger picture. His callings for our lives have nothing to do with what we want, it has all to do with leading others to repentance that they may know Christ.

Jonah was to go Nineveh deliver God's Word, and their godly sorrow lead them to repent (Jonah 3:6-10). That is what God has called us to do. We are to reconcile others with God through Jesus and show them how live a Christian life (Matthew 28:16-20, 2 Corinthians 5:18-21). Now where He has chosen for us to do it is His Sovereign Choice, not ours. We have to get over being selfish and wanting things done our way. It's not about "you" or "me", it's all about Him and bringing salvation to those who need it wherever they are. Stay focused, you can do this.

Read the Word, Share the Gospel, Be Accountable

"In His JOY!"