Finished reading Jonah about a month ago. I have read it many times, but this time bothered me greatly. As I read, I found that I began viewing Jonah with much more contempt than I ever have. I mean, really!! He is told by God to preach to a godless people with the hope of hearts drawn to the One True God! Isn't that what we Christians are here for? But Jonah hates them so bad, he'd rather spend three days in the belly of a God-ordained fish than pray for help and forgiveness. Then after all that is done, he goes to preach to the Ninevites and from a distant spot waits in hope that God brings judgment on them anyway. And while he waits, a wonderful, shady plant grows that makes him feel good (all God's doing); then he painfully grieves for the death of the plant. All I can say is, "What a contemptible little man." Yet it is a God-inspired book of the Bible. It's not for naught, of course, (well, duh...it's God's Word!) but what I mean is in regard to me. Because what I see in the flawless character of God Almighty evidenced by His great compassion, protection and love is very bold in contrast to Jonah's lack of character.
Now, I am going through this rant for a great object lesson learned a few days after I smugly finished this book. I'm thinking how glad I'm not like Jonah. Why God has given me such a desire to see people saved no matter what their past life is like. And then it happened! I indulged in a justified, few day long critical, unloving and impatient spirit toward someone. It had escalated to a boiling point one evening and in my mind, I was frantic with justified and completely rational thinking. This person was doing wrong and needed something that someone else should be telling them about and I had just let that person know what they should do. I walked off, went in another room of the house and my countenance and attitude completely changed. And you know why? Was it because I reconsider my position in Christ and was convicted? No! (However, Praise God, that does come later.) No, it came because I saw a plant that I love that had been neglected a bit too long of water and had wilted, looking completely lifeless. I immediately grabbed up the plant and lovingly took it to get a needed sip. And immediately...IMMEDIATELY, God brought to mind Jonah and his grief over the plant contrasted to his lack of compassion for a human being and 120,00 of those being babies and children!
You know, daily I see injustices done and inconsistencies flourish. Pets are elevated to the point of owners worried about their pet food being organic!!?? And baby animals ie. sea turtles and more being protected by government. And trees being hugged and camped around in order to keep it from being cut down. Yet, unborn babies are killed daily, children are abused, people are sold and bought and on and on I could go with the atrocities men have through the ages done and continue to do. And as Christians, we see the injustices and grieve. YET, and as I proved to myself, I am NOT without sin. For I criticize my brother and sister, both in my thoughts and in my words weekly. I am not where I need to be! But with hope, "I press on toward the mark for which God calls me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14) For it's not just for times of innocent troubles that come my way that I need such encouragement but also for those times of recognition that I still struggle with this sinful flesh. But let us fight on! God will have the victory. Let us indulge in this Power and His work in us!
No comments:
Post a Comment