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

Sometimes, we get the stir in our hearts to do something or say something, and we don't do it because we're focused on the wrong thing. Whether it's us allowing our fears to stop us, our insecurities, or even our pride - we choose to ignore the gentle conviction and push forward without seeking God's guidance. It's like when we're in the heat of the moment and decide to react to someone's words and do or say something we know we shouldn't. Then there are those huge whale-of-a-tale moments when it's more significant. Maybe it is a decision that changes our lives, a relationship that needs terminating, a habit that's been going on for too long that we have to get rid of, or maybe it's forgiveness that needs to be given to move forward.

Whatever that next move is – how we decide is what's most important. Spiritual growth and peace come when we seek God first in the little and big moments of our lives.

In Jonah Chapter 1, Jonah was minding his business, and God told him to go to a sin-infested, dangerous city to preach his Word. God picked Jonah. God was confident in his abilities and knew Jonah was right for the job, but he seemed to disagree. Maybe Jonah was insecure, too comfortable in his routine, didn't want to be disturbed, or was full of fear. Whatever the reason, he didn't want to do it, and scripture says that he FLED. Jonah went out of his way to run from God and God's call. Scripture points out all the trouble Jonah went through to get out of doing "something" he didn't want to do. That same "something" that God was guiding him to, God was also with him. Yet, Jonah went to extremes to flee the presence of God because he didn't want to hear what God had to tell him.

He had the privilege of God's words and his presence, yet because of Jonah's focus on himself and his desire to do what he wanted, he ran from God.

We have that same privilege of God's word and the Holy Spirit, yet so many times we run, we ignore him, and we just do what we want because of how we feel. God has called us to obedience; when we are obedient, we experience the presence of the Holy One.