In all of our lives there are mini-conversions and mini-resurrections, in which God works through our lives to bring about transforming change in us and the world. Jonah was a reluctant prophet who learned about conversion.
Below is reflections on the experience of Jonah by Melissa Lauber, Communications staff with the Baltimore-Washington Conference, UMC
Then God assigned a huge fish to swallow Jonah. Jonah was in the fish's belly three days and nights. Then Jonah prayed to his God from the belly of the fish. He prayed:
In trouble, deep trouble, I prayed to God. He answered me.From the belly of the grave I cried, 'Help!' You heard my cry.You threw me into ocean's depths, into a watery grave,With ocean waves, ocean breakers crashing over me.I said, 'I've been thrown away, thrown out, out of your sight.I'll never again lay eyes on your Holy Temple.'Ocean gripped me by the throat. …
When my life was slipping away, I remembered God, and my prayer got through to you, made it all the way to your Holy Temple.Those who worship hollow gods, god-frauds, walk away from their only true love.But I'm worshiping you, God, calling out in thanksgiving!And I'll do what I promised I'd do! Salvation belongs to God!"
Then God spoke to the fish, and it vomited up Jonah on the seashore.
Next, God spoke to Jonah a second time:
"Up on your feet and on your way to the big city of Nineveh! Preach to them. They're in a bad way and I can't ignore it any longer."
This time Jonah started off straight for Nineveh, obeying God's orders to the letter.
Consider:
In what ways are the people you are in ministry with like Jonah?
How might you be reluctant about embracing your call from God? What would it take to shake you out of that reluctance?
Today we pray for the churches and people of the Baltimore region.
Below is reflections on the experience of Jonah by Melissa Lauber, Communications staff with the Baltimore-Washington Conference, UMC
Then God assigned a huge fish to swallow Jonah. Jonah was in the fish's belly three days and nights. Then Jonah prayed to his God from the belly of the fish. He prayed:
In trouble, deep trouble, I prayed to God. He answered me.From the belly of the grave I cried, 'Help!' You heard my cry.You threw me into ocean's depths, into a watery grave,With ocean waves, ocean breakers crashing over me.I said, 'I've been thrown away, thrown out, out of your sight.I'll never again lay eyes on your Holy Temple.'Ocean gripped me by the throat. …
When my life was slipping away, I remembered God, and my prayer got through to you, made it all the way to your Holy Temple.Those who worship hollow gods, god-frauds, walk away from their only true love.But I'm worshiping you, God, calling out in thanksgiving!And I'll do what I promised I'd do! Salvation belongs to God!"
Then God spoke to the fish, and it vomited up Jonah on the seashore.
Next, God spoke to Jonah a second time:
"Up on your feet and on your way to the big city of Nineveh! Preach to them. They're in a bad way and I can't ignore it any longer."
This time Jonah started off straight for Nineveh, obeying God's orders to the letter.
Consider:
In what ways are the people you are in ministry with like Jonah?
How might you be reluctant about embracing your call from God? What would it take to shake you out of that reluctance?
Today we pray for the churches and people of the Baltimore region.
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