June 23rd, 2025
by Matthew Spoon
by Matthew Spoon
In the bustling chaos of our modern lives, it's easy to lose sight of God's purpose for us. We often find ourselves running in every direction except the one He's calling us toward. The story of Jonah serves as a powerful reminder that no matter how far we run, God's persistence and provision will always prevail.
Jonah's tale is more than just a fish story – it's a true historical account of God's mercy and the lengths He'll go to bring us back to Him. When God called Jonah to preach to Nineveh, Jonah's immediate response was to flee in the opposite direction. How often do we do the same? We hear God's call, but instead of answering, we busy ourselves with less important tasks or simply ignore His voice altogether.
But here's the thing: there's no greater blessing than being in the will of God. Having a purpose bigger than ourselves gives life meaning and direction. This week, let's challenge ourselves to make God's purpose our purpose. As Jesus said, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me." Are we choosing Christ daily in our lives? Not just on Sundays or at church events, but in every moment with our families, at work, and in our communities?
God's persistence is a testament to His love for us. Even as Jonah ran, God pursued. He sent a great wind and a mighty tempest, not to punish Jonah, but to redirect him. In our own lives, we may face storms that seem overwhelming, but perhaps these are God's way of shouting to rouse us from our spiritual slumber.
C.S. Lewis once wrote, "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain. It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world." When crisis hits, even the most ardent atheist may find themselves crying out to God. It's a distinctive response of the human heart to seek divine help in times of trouble.
However, we must be careful not to fall into the trap of trying to save ourselves through our own efforts. Just as the sailors threw cargo overboard to lighten their ship, we often try to "fix" ourselves before coming to God. We think, "If I can just get rid of this bad habit" or "If I can just be a better person, then I'll be worthy of God's love." But the truth is, our only hope for salvation is the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate sacrifice that calms the storms of God's wrath against a sinful world.
It's all too easy in our modern world to live in a spiritual slumber, where people entertain themselves the way to hell without ever considering the things of God. Even Christians can get caught up in this trap and never listen for God's purpose for our lives. We need to wake up, to live every moment of every day praying unceasingly and looking to God. Don't wait until the storms of life are raging around you to realize you need more of Jesus. Choose Him today and make Him more present and active in your life.
Remember, God's provision is always perfect and on time. The most miraculous part of Jonah's story isn't that he survived three days in the belly of a fish, but that God had prepared that fish long before Jonah ever ran away. This divine appointment shows us that God is always several steps ahead, working out His plans even when we can't see or understand them.
If God can prepare a giant fish to swallow a runaway prophet, imagine the divine appointments He's setting up in your life right now. Don't miss them! Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.
Many of us hold back from serving God because we feel inadequate or ill-equipped. But remember, there's nothing God can't do through you. The Apostle Paul said, "When I am weak, then I am strong." It's in our moments of weakness that we rely most fully on Christ, and that's where we find a strength beyond our own understanding.
Never say you can't do something if you believe God is calling you to it. If God has a plan, He will equip and prepare you for it, no matter how impossible it may seem. You can never be so far away from God, never be in such a bad place in your life, that God can't bring you back.
As we reflect on Jonah's story, let's ask ourselves: How can we be more in the will of God today? What is God calling us to do? How can we align our purpose with God's purpose? Our world desperately needs Jesus now more than ever. Let's not be like Jonah, running from God's call. Instead, let's run towards it with open hearts and willing spirits.
In closing, remember that God's love for you is deeper, higher, longer, and wider than you can imagine. He came down from heaven, gave up His throne for a manger, and traded a crown for a cross – all so that we could know the depths of His love. To the ends of the earth He has been, searching for the ones far from home. What a great sacrifice He has made to call us His own.
So today, will you choose to stop running and instead embrace God's purpose for your life? Will you allow His persistence to guide you and trust in His provision? The choice is yours, but remember – there's no greater adventure than walking in step with the Creator of the universe.
Jonah's tale is more than just a fish story – it's a true historical account of God's mercy and the lengths He'll go to bring us back to Him. When God called Jonah to preach to Nineveh, Jonah's immediate response was to flee in the opposite direction. How often do we do the same? We hear God's call, but instead of answering, we busy ourselves with less important tasks or simply ignore His voice altogether.
But here's the thing: there's no greater blessing than being in the will of God. Having a purpose bigger than ourselves gives life meaning and direction. This week, let's challenge ourselves to make God's purpose our purpose. As Jesus said, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me." Are we choosing Christ daily in our lives? Not just on Sundays or at church events, but in every moment with our families, at work, and in our communities?
God's persistence is a testament to His love for us. Even as Jonah ran, God pursued. He sent a great wind and a mighty tempest, not to punish Jonah, but to redirect him. In our own lives, we may face storms that seem overwhelming, but perhaps these are God's way of shouting to rouse us from our spiritual slumber.
C.S. Lewis once wrote, "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain. It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world." When crisis hits, even the most ardent atheist may find themselves crying out to God. It's a distinctive response of the human heart to seek divine help in times of trouble.
However, we must be careful not to fall into the trap of trying to save ourselves through our own efforts. Just as the sailors threw cargo overboard to lighten their ship, we often try to "fix" ourselves before coming to God. We think, "If I can just get rid of this bad habit" or "If I can just be a better person, then I'll be worthy of God's love." But the truth is, our only hope for salvation is the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate sacrifice that calms the storms of God's wrath against a sinful world.
It's all too easy in our modern world to live in a spiritual slumber, where people entertain themselves the way to hell without ever considering the things of God. Even Christians can get caught up in this trap and never listen for God's purpose for our lives. We need to wake up, to live every moment of every day praying unceasingly and looking to God. Don't wait until the storms of life are raging around you to realize you need more of Jesus. Choose Him today and make Him more present and active in your life.
Remember, God's provision is always perfect and on time. The most miraculous part of Jonah's story isn't that he survived three days in the belly of a fish, but that God had prepared that fish long before Jonah ever ran away. This divine appointment shows us that God is always several steps ahead, working out His plans even when we can't see or understand them.
If God can prepare a giant fish to swallow a runaway prophet, imagine the divine appointments He's setting up in your life right now. Don't miss them! Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.
Many of us hold back from serving God because we feel inadequate or ill-equipped. But remember, there's nothing God can't do through you. The Apostle Paul said, "When I am weak, then I am strong." It's in our moments of weakness that we rely most fully on Christ, and that's where we find a strength beyond our own understanding.
Never say you can't do something if you believe God is calling you to it. If God has a plan, He will equip and prepare you for it, no matter how impossible it may seem. You can never be so far away from God, never be in such a bad place in your life, that God can't bring you back.
As we reflect on Jonah's story, let's ask ourselves: How can we be more in the will of God today? What is God calling us to do? How can we align our purpose with God's purpose? Our world desperately needs Jesus now more than ever. Let's not be like Jonah, running from God's call. Instead, let's run towards it with open hearts and willing spirits.
In closing, remember that God's love for you is deeper, higher, longer, and wider than you can imagine. He came down from heaven, gave up His throne for a manger, and traded a crown for a cross – all so that we could know the depths of His love. To the ends of the earth He has been, searching for the ones far from home. What a great sacrifice He has made to call us His own.
So today, will you choose to stop running and instead embrace God's purpose for your life? Will you allow His persistence to guide you and trust in His provision? The choice is yours, but remember – there's no greater adventure than walking in step with the Creator of the universe.
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