Jonah 1: 1-17
The word of the Lord came to Jonah, son of Amittai: ‘Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.’ But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord.
Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship. But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep. The captain went to him and said, ‘How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god! Maybe he will take notice of us so that we will not perish.’ Then the sailors said to each other, ‘Come, let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity.’ They cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah.
So they asked him, ‘Tell us, who is responsible for making all this trouble for us? What kind of work do you do? Where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you?’ He answered, ‘I am a Hebrew and I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.’ This terrified them and they asked, ‘What have you done?’ (They knew he was running away from the Lord, because he had already told them so.)
The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So, they asked him, ‘What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?’ ‘Pick me up and throw me into the sea,’ he replied, ‘and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.’
Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before. Then they cried out to the Lord, ‘Please, Lord, do not let us die for taking this man’s life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, Lord, have done as you pleased.’
Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. At this the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him. Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
Reflection
Jonah might seem a little tongue-in-cheek to use as a Bible passage when writing about vocation. Most people from my sending church will tell you that I have been on quite a journey over the last few years. While going through the process of discovering what the Good Lord has in mind for me, I have held a few different roles and have been exposed to various aspects of the URC. When I, and some might say, finally put myself forward for a non-stipended Ministry, I would joke that I better get on with it, otherwise I might end up in the tummy of a big fish.
We all know the story of Jonah, a Sunday school favourite. There is, of course, a message for us all in this book. Jonah does not feel able to do what God wants him to do. He tries to ignore it and runs away from it. This bit resonates with me on my journey and may strike a note with you. What we so often forget is that God will equip and enable us to do the job He wants us to do, even when we are uncomfortable and believe we are not able to do what He has in mind for us. I have come to realise that the journey I have been on was part of God’s plan for me; He was preparing me for it. We must trust in God. He knows what we need before we do. He will provide us with the gifts to do what God wants. We must not think we are alone.
Jonah does go to Nineveh, and his message is heard by the city, which repents. Jonah is arguably one of the most successful prophets. God will be with us as we serve His people in what He wants us to do.
Prayer
Loving Heavenly Father.
Help us remember that Your Son, Jesus Christ, is walking with us, supporting and guiding us along the way.
Help us to see the Holy Spirit’s work in ourselves and others to bring the Kingdom of Heaven here today.
Help us to hear Your voice over the noise and busyness of the day.
Help us to open our hearts to all those around us. They are Your children and our sisters and brothers in Christ.
Amen.