In review Jonah 1:2 this morning, it says, “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” (NIV)
When God first gave Jonah his mission, it required a huge step of faith. In fact, the step was so big that Jonah initially ran from it.
At the time, Nineveh was the biggest and most important city in the world. It was the capital of Assyria, the strongest empire of the day. Nineveh was also a beautiful city with wide boulevards, parks, canals, great architecture, palaces, and temples.
For Jonah to preach to them, it would take a step of faith. Why? First, Jonah had grown up in a small village. Yet God was calling him to reach the biggest city in the world. Plus, it was more than 550 miles away. It wouldn’t be easy to get there.
Most importantly, Assyria had captured, dominated, and enslaved the Jews multiple times. The Assyrians hated Israel, and Israel hated the Assyrians. They were mortal enemies. They were political enemies. They were religious enemies. They were racial enemies.
But God wanted to save these people too, so he sent Jonah on a mission to them. However, instead of obeying, Jonah ran from God’s plan. He wouldn’t take the step of faith necessary to start his mission, let alone complete it.
Like Jonah’s mission, my God-given mission will test my faith. It may challenge my comfort zones. It may challenge my prejudices. It may challenge my politics.
But I can’t accomplish God’s mission for my life without faith. “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6 NIV).
What Jonah eventually learned is that God will be with us every step along our mission, guiding and providing for us. Jesus promised this when he gave the Great Commission.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV).
When God gives direction through his Word, running can only get me into trouble. It is best to do what God asks in the first place. It's far better to obey from the start.
In summary, when God asks, go. It will require a huge step of faith. Like Jonah’s mission, my God-given mission will test my faith. It may challenge my comfort zones. But I can’t accomplish God’s mission for my life without faith. God will be with us every step along our mission, guiding and providing. When God gives direction through his Word, running can only get me into trouble. It is best to do what God asks in the first place. It's far better to obey from the start.
In reflection, the scariest part of following God’s mission for me is that it will test and challenge my comfort zone. I think this is because I’m an introvert and prefer to be in the background than up front. It's also something I am not sure I know how to do, thus would rather stay away from. Over and over in my quiet times, I hear to put my trust in God. I just need to remember Proverbs 3:5, “to trust in the Lord with all my heart”. It’s also important that I ask others to know what I’m going to do and to ask for their support via prayer.
Father, I know that I shy away at times. With the help of the Holy Spirit I am encouraged in small ways to step out in faith. I ask you for wisdom for my day, my preparations for my next job, my work, my leadership and my interaction with others. These things I pray in your Son Jesus’ name, Amen.
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