The Call – Jonah 1

The Call That Changes Everything: Lessons from Jonah

Have you ever felt God nudging you to do something, but you just couldn’t bring yourself to do it? Maybe it was sharing your faith with a coworker or inviting a neighbor to church. If so, you’re in good company. The story of Jonah shows us that even prophets struggle with God’s call sometimes.

As I’ve been studying Jonah recently, I’ve realized something uncomfortable: I relate to him way more than I’d like to admit. And if we’re honest, I think most of us do. Let’s dive into Jonah’s story and see what it reveals about our own hearts and God’s incredible grace.

Seeing the Call Clearly

God’s call to Jonah was crystal clear: “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me” (Jonah 1:2). There was no ambiguity here. God wanted Jonah to go preach to the Ninevites about their sin.

Similarly, Jesus has given us a clear call: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). This Great Commission wasn’t just for the disciples – it’s for all of us who follow Christ.

But like Jonah, we often run in the opposite direction. Why? Usually for one of three reasons:

1. Our flesh – We don’t want to look weird or feel uncomfortable.
2. The world – Our culture says not to talk about religion.
3. Spiritual warfare – There are unseen forces working against us.

The Consequences of Disobedience

Jonah’s disobedience had serious consequences, not just for himself but for others too. His choice to flee put the sailors on his ship in mortal danger. Similarly, when we fail to share the gospel, there are eternal consequences for those around us.

Romans 10:14 asks, “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” 

It’s a sobering thought, but people’s eternal destinies can hinge on our willingness to share the good news of Jesus. As uncomfortable as it might make us, we need to grapple with the reality of hell and what’s at stake for those who don’t know Christ.

Turning Back to God

The good news is, it’s never too late to turn back to God and His call on our lives. Jonah’s repentance process started small – simply admitting who he was and that he feared the Lord. Sometimes, just acknowledging the disconnect between what we say we believe and how we’re actually living can be the first step back to obedience.

Repentance often involves being willing to face the consequences of our actions. Jonah was willing to be thrown overboard to save the sailors – he didn’t know about the big fish that would save him!

God’s grace met Jonah in his repentance. The Lord “appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah” (Jonah 1:17). What looked like certain death was actually God’s means of rescue and restoration.

Putting It Into Practice

So how do we move from reluctance to obedience in sharing our faith? Here are some practical steps:

1. Pray for clear vision. Ask God to help you see people as He sees them – souls in need of a Savior.
2. Confess your reluctance. Be honest with God about your fears and hesitations.
3. Start small. Like C.T. Studd, who went from never sharing his faith to becoming a passionate missionary, begin with one conversation or invitation.
4. Remember God’s grace. When you stumble or fall short, remember that God is patient and keeps working on our hearts “one Q-tip at a time.”
5. Focus on eternity. Keep the eternal stakes in mind – it will fuel your courage and compassion.

Remember, becoming bold in sharing our faith is usually a gradual process. But as we submit to God’s call and allow Him to change our hearts, we’ll find ourselves running “a rescue shop within a yard of hell,” just like C.T. Studd.

Let’s pray together: “Lord, give us clear vision to see what you see, and cleanse our hearts to love who you love. Help us to be obedient to your call, no matter the cost. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”