Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you. (Jonah 3:1 -2)
I’m sure many of us are familiar with the childhood storybook classic, Jonah and the Big Fish. I don’t think anyone has done it better than Veggie Tales!! I have always thought of Jonah’s story of being a lesson about obedience – “when we don’t do what God tells us, there can be serious consequences!”
A recent conversation with a soror & a sister in Christ helped me to see that the story of Jonah is about so much more. It speaks to the faithfulness of God and how God’s purpose for us remains unchanged. God had a very specific assignment for Jonah to fulfill. He was to go to Nineveh and deliver a message to the people. But Jonah ran away from his assignment instead of toward it. Jonah quickly realized that his failure to follow God put others in danger and led to misery for himself. Finally Jonah surrendered and God said to him the second time, “Go to Nineveh and deliver a message to the people. “ This time Jonah did as God directed him and he saved an entire city of people from destruction.
Just like Jonah, each of us has an assignment from God. There is something very specific that God has for us to do. God’s assignment for our life does not change. No matter how much we hold back, or kick, or scream, or run, He will wait patiently to remind us of the purpose for which we were created. Ephesians 2:10 says that “we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (NKJV). If we believe the word, we can be confident that what God has for us is “good.” He has created each of us uniquely to walk in the special calling that He has on our life.
Today is the perfect day to say “yes” to your destiny. It’s not too late. Romans 11:29 says, “the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” (NKJV). In other words, the message for our life doesn’t change. No matter how old we are, no matter how long we have been running, God is still faithful to fulfill his purpose for our life. It’s our attitude, not our age, which determines whether or not God can use us.
What is it that God has called you to do? What gift does He want you to share with others? I would love to hear from you so that I can stand in agreement and faith with you. And in return, I ask that you keep me in prayer as I submit to the plans that God has for me.