But God, I Don't Want To! Learning to Say Yes to God When It Doesn't Make Sense.Sampl

Jonah has a moment of revelation where he sees what harm and danger he's caused to those around him because he refused to listen to what God wanted him to do. His choices in his time of disobedience led him to more trouble than if he had just gone straight to Nineveh. Have you ever had a similar moment? I wonder how often we make an absolute mess of things, and then realize that it would have been easier to be obedient from the beginning.

God didn't stop the raging sea until Jonah surrendered. He admitted his wrongdoing and realized the storm wouldn't cease until he did the right thing. Not only had he fled from God, but he had made a mess of things, and his choices' consequences were awful. As soon as he was thrown overboard, the storm stopped. And it seemed like Jonah was finally at a place to listen. So, God brought a fish to swallow him up for a few days.

Listen – if God needs to appoint a GIANT FISH to get your attention, he will. It wasn't his first choice, but Jonah made it his next one. God wants your heart and your obedience, but he won't force you into it. He will do whatever it takes to get your attention and give you opportunities to surrender.

I love how God uses the awful circumstance that Jonah created for his glory. What Jonah meant for his selfishness, God turned into an example to those around him to show them that he could calm storms and rage them just the same. While God didn't want Jonah to flee, hop on a ship, and have to rage a storm – God took the opportunity to use all of that to show his power, might, and glory. May that be an encouragement to you today, that no matter how much you think you've messed up - when you finally surrender your decisions and steps to him, he can work it for his glory and to those who love him.