Ugh
Just one of those days. One of the days where I have some thoughts, not many, but enough. So it’s these thoughts that I am offering for “contemplation” today.
The Back Story (Jonah 1:1-3)
God spoke to Jonah (whose named Pigeon or Dove) who’s dad’s name means “Truth” (Amittai). God said, “Get up and go to the big city of Nineveh, and preach against it.” God gave a reason for his command. It was because the wickedness was too great and He implied that He was going to do something about it.
But Dove (Jonah) got up at went to Joppa (which means “Beautiful”) to hitch a ride to Tarshish (which means “Contemplation”) to run from the presence of the Lord.
It says that he paid for his ticket on to the boat, and went down into it, once again, to run from the presence of God.
Thoughts
Jonah’s name meant “dove”, which, in their culture was associated with peace. Jonah was anything but peaceful about what he did and how he did it. He did the opposite of what God wanted him to do from the get-go.
God TOLD Jonah that He wanted to deal with the rebellion of the Ninevites. The Ninevites worshipped Dagon, the fish god. They were so devoted to him, that even the name of their great city, Nineveh, was named “House of Fish”. They were very serious about their belief system.
Before we get grouchy with Dove-man for his actions, I am wondering, how often do we go to our “Beautiful Contemplation” before we actually get down to business of DOING what God has asked us to do? I know I’m not that different, in some circumstances.
God was clear.
Go to Nineveh.
Preach against them.
Period.
How often do we get clear marching orders from God – and push them off? Hmmm… I was talking to someone the other day and they were clearly stuck in a thought pattern that wasn’t helpful. From an outside perspective it was very easily solved, alas… it wasn’t that easy for them. They were running from the presence of the Lord.
How often don’t I do that? How about you?
Maybe walking into “Beautiful Contemplation” can be similar, at times, to spending hours of surfing on the internet. Lots of things to see. Lots of things to think about. Not all of it is bad, of course! However, lots of time wasted…because it’s just not what God told us to do in the first place.
“Good” seems to the be enemy of “Best”.
What I mean is that what is legitimately “good” can get in the way of what is “best”. So that “good” never gives way to excellence. Good can cause us to run from the presence of the excellence of the Lord.
Now, don’t get me wrong. The internet can be a great place to learn stuff. And that’s not the only place to get caught up in “beautiful contemplation”. Who knows, maybe your avoidant schema is pouring your self into the art of macramé or sorting your spice drawer alphabetically… (ah-hem…. not saying that it’s ever been done at my house)… (and yes, I have done macramé, but I was in grade 2 and my mom signed me up for a craft class. I have left those vices behind me now). All I’m saying is that whatever is YOUR entrance to “Beautiful Contemplation” is a problem when it comes in direct conflict with God’s directive for your (um.. MY) life.
Is God telling you about something in your life and asking you to DO something about it?
What, exactly, is God telling you to do?
What steps have you taken to obey? disobey? Are you running from the presence of the Lord?
Just saying, it takes humility to get there.
To put God’s will above ours.
To trust God’s intentions towards us, rather than our own plans. (or our own worries)
It’s actually a hard task. Please have grace for yourself as you contemplate (the good kind) the task at hand, being thoroughly honest with your thoughts, feelings, trust issues, and tremblings as you take your first step to obedience. Remember, God knows that we are “but dust” (Gen. 18:27) and we have limited understanding. The trick is for US to recognize that we are “but dust”. (‘Cause God already knows).
Even in our dust state, God reaches out to us and listens to us, holds us up and helps us. Next blog, we’ll see the practical help that God gave Jonah to help him make up his mind to listen and obey.
I love this devotional! Totally get the Jonah thing. Yep. As you were explaining Nineveh, I was reminded of the Veggie Tale version. Yes, they really took their fish seriously lol! 🙂
But in all serious, sometimes it’s avoidance of even the little things God wants me to do.
Lord, keep me humble, submissive and obedient to Your will always.
I KNOW!!!!
It’s the little things that are hard to do.
God sees your heart and the deep heart of wanting to follow Him, yes? So, if that’s the case, the good news is that He remembers we are “but dust”. And looks at our tries with compassion, just as you look at your kids and grandkids with the same compassion as they try and sometimes fail. God is good – all the time. His heart is FOR you.