In review of Jonah 1:16, I read “The sailors were awestruck by the LORD’s great power, and they offered him a sacrifice and vowed to serve him.” (NLT)
Jonah had disobeyed God. While he was running away, he stopped and submitted to God. Then the ship's crew began to worship God because they saw the storm quiet down. God is able to use even my mistakes to help others come to know him. It may be painful, but admitting my sin can be a powerful example to those who don't know God.
As I embrace God’s mission for my life, miracles can happen.
This can be seen in the life of Jonah. God told him to warn the people of Nineveh that judgment was near, but Jonah didn’t want to do it. So he ran in the opposite direction and boarded a ship to Tarshish, far away from where God wanted him to be.
In order to get Jonah back on mission, God sent a violent storm to stop the ship. “‘Throw me into the sea,’ Jonah said, ‘and it will become calm again. I know that this terrible storm is all my fault’” (Jonah 1:12 NLT).
When Jonah finally obeyed God, three miracles happened. These same miracles will happen as I embrace God’s mission for my life.
1). Life calms down. Suddenly there will be peace where there was previously a storm. Storms don’t usually stop immediately, but this one did. God ended the storm the moment Jonah was tossed into the sea. God has a purpose for the storms I face in life. He may be trying to get my attention. His purpose is always greater than my problem. When I accept God’s mission, he’ll calm the storm sent to get my attention.
2). Unbelievers will believe. Jonah was on a ship full of people who didn’t believe in God. They were astounded that God stopped the storm when they threw Jonah overboard. And so, “The men were terrified of the Lord. They offered sacrifices and made vows to the Lord” (Jonah 1:16 GW). Because a person who believed in God suddenly went the right way instead of the wrong way, unbelievers believed. I have co-workers who aren’t followers of Jesus. I might be affecting their willingness to put their trust in Jesus. My life and my choices could be keeping them from coming to Christ. When I finally give 100 percent to God, they will be curious to have what I have.
3). God shows me mercy. The Bible says in Jonah 1:17, “The Lord sent a big fish to swallow Jonah” (GW). That doesn’t sound like mercy, but it was. Jonah lived after being tossed overboard in a storm because God sent a big fish to swallow him up. The tendency is to think that if I come back and embrace God’s mission, he’ll punish me for all the time they wasted. However, that’s just not true. Embracing God’s unique mission for my life is the best thing I can do. He wants me to fulfill it, so he will welcome me back with open arms.
Then miracles can follow.
In summary, others can be awestruck by the LORD’s great power, and can turn to Him. Jonah had disobeyed God. While running away, he stopped and submitted. Then the ship's crew began to worship God because they saw the storm quiet down. God is able to use even my mistakes to help others come to know him. Admitting my sin can be a powerful example. As I embrace God’s mission, miracles can happen. To get Jonah back on mission, God sent a violent storm to stop the ship. When Jonah finally obeyed, three miracles happened. These same miracles will happen as I embrace God’s mission. First life calms down. There will be peace where there was previously a storm. God has a purpose for the storms I face in life. He may be trying to get my attention. His purpose is always greater than my problem. When I accept God’s mission, he’ll calm the storm sent to get my attention. Secondly, unbelievers will believe. When a person who believed in God suddenly went the right way instead of the wrong way, unbelievers believed. I have co-workers who aren’t followers of Jesus. I might be affecting their willingness to put their trust in Jesus. My life and my choices could be keeping them from coming to Christ. When I finally give 100 percent, they will be curious to have what I have. Lastly, God shows me mercy. The tendency is to think that if I come back and embrace God’s mission, he’ll punish me for all the time they wasted. That’s just not true. Embracing God’s unique mission is the best thing I can do. He wants me to fulfill it, so he will welcome me back with open arms.
Perhaps I have not been fully embracing the mission God has for me in the last several years. I have tended to embrace my work as everything I do, and not really focusing on what God wants me to do. He has put me in place where I am and brought the storms I have encountered, especially in my recent job. I know he is working to build me. My attitude should be more focused on the relationships I have and the example I can set, than on just accomplishing the work. God I stop and reflect that you have a unique mission you want me to fulfill in my life. While I'm at my current job, I will do what I can to positively affect the lives of others around me and to serve.
Father I pray that with the help of the Holy Spirit in my life that I can more deeply embrace your mission for me. I pray for those in my work life who aren’t followers of Jesus and ask you to use me to bring about curiosity and help lead them to you. I ask also for wisdom and guidance today for my choices, my work, my leadership and my interactions with others. I ask this through your Son Jesus’ name, amen.
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