Jonah

Many Christians receive a call from God to take up a particular ministry, but refuse to enact it. Or, by looking only at their own lives, they misinterpret such a call and ‘miss’ it. Either way, God may not repeat the call for some time, if at all, for his own purposes, and so that person will not know the blessings associated with his or her ministry.

Every one of us has a ministry of some kind or other, some more vocal or physically active than others, ranging from private prayer for the saints and various ministries to preaching, witnessing, or supporting others financially or otherwise. There are no back-seat drivers or silent partners!

What is your idea of ‘faith’? In this study we will challenge the usual idea of ‘faith’, and will show that the most imperfect of people can have faith. Jonah was certainly imperfect, yet God helped him to survive. Remember – Jesus speaks of just a tiny portion of faith, as big as a mustard seed. Do not think that the Christians you might admire have faith any bigger than that! Maybe they do – but most struggle and only have a pin-head size faith! Yet, Jesus says it is enough to move mountains. Never give up on God or on yourself. Keep on running the race until you reach the end.

It took a dire circumstance to show Jonah his error and what he should do next. In my own life I sometimes need a swift ‘kick’ from God to get going! There is not always a smooth path from command to doing in our lives. And faith does not usually come easily or quickly. I had to learn time and again until the truth stuck in my heart and soul. So, do not lose heart.

It is an ever-recurring question – “How do I know if God is calling me to do something? How can I tell if it is not just psychological?”

My answer remains the same – “You will know!” How? Because the calling will be definite, powerful and overwhelming, whether the task is small or great. When it happens, you will know for sure. It is far greater than a psychological suggestion, or a whim, or a thought, and cannot be mistaken for one.

In this chapter we have a very simple scenario, but it has a deep, almost incomprehensible meaning. Sermons and Bible studies are delivered all over the earth, every single day and night. But, how many teachers and preachers understand what they say, and how many Christians understand what is said?

It is true that most Christians, both teacher and student, read and speak in familiar terms. A truism puts it this way: “Familiarity breeds contempt”. What else do we call it, when Christians hear the word, teachers speak it, and yet few bother to seek clarification of its meaning, and, even when they have it, how many obey it?