Deacon Edwina Hamilton

Jonah 1

1-2 One day long ago, God's Word came to Jonah, Amittai's son: "Up on your feet and on your way to the big city of Nineveh! Preach to them. They're in a bad way and I can't ignore it any longer." 3 But Jonah got up and went the other direction to Tarshish, running away from God. He went down to the port of Joppa and found a ship headed for Tarshish. He paid the fare and went on board, joining those going to Tarshish—as far away from God as he could get. (MSSG)

Strange Fruit 

We all know the beloved Dr. Seuss story “Green Eggs and Ham”. In fact this one of is my favorite! As the book opens, we find Dude (although his name is never mentioned, let’s just call him Jonah for this lesson) is relaxed and settled into his comfort zone, when suddenly his plans get interrupted. Here enters Sam, Sam I am. (God said to Moses, "I am who I am . This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.") There goes God again, showing up where we least expect Him.

Immediately Dude/Jonah does not like what is being presented to him. Without hesitation, contemplation or justification, our main character’s reaction is one of dislike. (Along with the ham-can’t do the swine, if green eggs were placed before me, I too would have to decline.) That which is being presented is out of the norm, so at every turn we see denial without an ounce of consideration. Has this every happened to you? God has been saying come. God has been beckoning you to serve in an area foreign to what you are accustomed to and it makes you uncomfortable. Just say my middle name is, GUILTY!

In the book, the little character I Am appears at every turn, popping up in the most unexpected places, trying to get Dude/Jonah to submit to the invitation. In the end we find surrender and a realization that until I do what He is asking, I will have no peace. By chapter’s close, Dude rejoices over having experienced this new delicacy and we know that Jonah was much better off submitting to God’s will. Being responsive to God’s direction is not always easy, but it is necessary.

Prayer 

Father, open our eyes so we can see. Open our ears so that we can hear and then soften our hearts so that we can obey! In Jesus Name-Amen

Thought for the day 

Those needing to answer the call to service in the “Army of the Lord”.