Focus

Prepare yourself to discern what is and what is not of God today. Still yourself so you can hear how God is calling you.

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Read

Jonah 1:1-17 (NRSV)

Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai, saying, “Go at once to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before me.” But Jonah set out to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid his fare and went on board, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD.

But the LORD hurled a great wind upon the sea, and such a mighty storm came upon the sea that the ship threatened to break up. Then the mariners were afraid, and each cried to his god. They threw the cargo that was in the ship into the sea, to lighten it for them. Jonah, meanwhile, had gone down into the hold of the ship and had lain down, and was fast asleep. The captain came and said to him, “What are you doing sound asleep? Get up, call on your god! Perhaps the god will spare us a thought so that we do not perish.”

The sailors said to one another, “Come, let us cast lots, so that we may know on whose account this calamity has come upon us.” So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. Then they said to him, “Tell us why this calamity has come upon us. What is your occupation? Where do you come from? What is your country? And of what people are you?” “I am a Hebrew,” he replied. “I worship the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.” Then the men were even more afraid, and said to him, “What is this that you have done!” For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them so.

Then they said to him, “What shall we do to you, that the sea may quiet down for us?” For the sea was growing more and more tempestuous. He said to them, “Pick me up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will quiet down for you; for I know it is because of me that this great storm has come upon you.” Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring the ship back to land, but they could not, for the sea grew more and more stormy against them. Then they cried out to the LORD, “Please, O LORD, we pray, do not let us perish on account of this man’s life. Do not make us guilty of innocent blood; for you, O LORD, have done as it pleased you.” So they picked Jonah up and threw him into the sea; and the sea ceased from its raging. Then the men feared the LORD even more, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows.

But the LORD provided a large fish to swallow up Jonah; and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

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Reflect

My friend, Ron, told us in Sunday school one day that he was planning to present an idea for a new ministry to the session and asked us to pray with him for guidance. He called it “The Serving” and described to us a monthly event where anyone who was hungry for food or companionship could come to our fellowship hall and share some soup, conversation, and a prayer. There were some details that still needed to be ironed out, but we whole-heartedly agreed to support and pray for this ministry. One person in the group said, “Ron, I’m glad you want to do this,” to which Ron replied, “Oh, I don’t want to do it.” He explained that since he had retired, he felt compelled to do it. It wasn’t something he was particularly eager to do. It was something he felt called to do.

Jonah wasn’t eager to go to Nineveh. In fact, he about as far as possible in the opposite direction, ending up in the belly of a large fish trying to avoid going to Nineveh. Perhaps God is calling you to do something that you are ignoring. Maybe you have gifts to share with your Christian Education ministry but are afraid to step up and say so. Maybe you have a talent for singing, but a commitment to choir would take an hour or 2 out of your busy schedule. Are you good with a hammer and nails? Maybe that single mom next door would appreciate a hand with the home repairs that are overwhelming her. Maybe that elderly fellow who always corners you after church to chat hasn’t talked to anyone all week. Sometimes we are called to step outside of our comfort zone to heed God’s will. Listen carefully. God may be calling you.

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Pray

Holy and loving God, grant us insight as to what we can do to further your kingdom. Lay on our hearts the needs of others and give us the willingness to serve. Forgive us when we fail to do your will. In Christ’s name. Amen.

Go with God.