WATCHWORD:
From that time on many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. John 6:66
Then the Lord spoke to Jonah a second time: 2 “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh, and deliver the message I have given you.”
3 This time Jonah obeyed the Lord’s command and went to Nineveh, a city so large that it took three days to see it all.[a] 4 On the day Jonah entered the city, he shouted to the crowds: “Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed!”5 The people of Nineveh believed God’s message, and from the greatest to the least, they declared a fast and put on burlap to show their sorrow.
10 When God saw what they had done and how they had put a stop to their evil ways, he changed his mind and did not carry out the destruction he had threatened.
This change of plans greatly upset Jonah, and he became very angry. 2 So he complained to the Lord about it: “Didn’t I say before I left home that you would do this, Lord? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people. 3 Just kill me now, Lord! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen.” Jonah 3:1-5,10 and Jonah 4:1-3
Meditation:
Oh, well…
One time, years ago, when I was a member of a bowling league, I had nailed nine strikes in a row. As I stood at the line ready to roll that tenth ball for bowling immortality, for some inexplicable reason I started to giggle! Literally, I was laughing! First of all, I couldn’t believe that I was on the verge of a perfect game, but secondly, a crowd of friends and strangers had formed from about my seventh frame on, watching me and cheering! Just that thought seemed so ridiculous. Me, with a 156-bowling average. Me, one roll away from 300? Of course, I blew it! Ended with a spare. Still, not bad. My fans just walked away! Wait! Where are you going? Oh, well.
Disappointment. Hopes and dreams dashed on the rocks of reality. Expectations not realized. Could not help but think of the clash between Jonah, with evil and anger in his heart, and God, with forgiveness. Talk about tantrums! He took his pout outside the city and sat. Still God loved him and shaded him. And again, Jonah took issue with the gourd, of all things. Negotiating with God did not solve Jonah’s problems. Some people never do find their “Oh, well,” attitude.
Does this sound familiar? Lord, if you do this, I’ll do that. Bartering with the Almighty? How smart can that be?
Getting real — Think about this: How has your life changed since, as an adult, you committed, or recommitted, your life to Christ? Seriously, Think about that. When little things don’t go as you had hoped, how do you deal with that? Oh, well? Or, do you revert to a different emotion?
[Stan! Do you really want to talk about this? I know, Lord, I am the last person qualified to say anything. What would you have me do? Continue on, My Son, I’m listening. Oh!]
Hey, that was a private conversation, people. Oh, well. Now, how about your priorities, since you embraced Christ, are they different? Does it seem that you are now calmer under difficult circumstances? Have you become more tolerant, more understanding, approachable? Do you take your walk, your talk with Christ seriously?
What? Your life didn’t change? Maybe you should take a closer look. You didn’t become perfect? You don’t understand? You say that you were opinionated before, and you still are. You still worry about some things. How come?
Maybe you didn’t get the Holy Memo that informed us that our fears, our opinions, our perfect imperfections, why, those are the things that we have to deal with. God is not going to take those away. We must deal with those ourselves. What God will do is equip us to deal with those things, and he wants you to use His graces and work on those flaws.
[Good point, My Son. You might apply that advice to yourself. Oh.]
One of the things that I understood early in my book-learning years, was that every one of us has a basic fear that was embedded in us as newborns. The fear of falling, the loss of comfort, the loss of support, fears that are universal. The strange thing about that deeply embedded fear, is that it still applies to us as adults, into our daily lives. We get undermined by loss of support, loss of friends, minor insults, crazy drivers, etc. This is where the King of the Universe, the Lord Almighty, Yahweh, The Christ, are within our ask. We need only ask in His name for the strength to deal with it, for the calmness to overcome it, for the maturity not to leave town and go sit under a bush pouting. Talk about a divine cast of helpers, who love us?
Summer is over. Oh, well. Fall is upon us. Oh, well. The season of cold weather and snow is around the corner. Oh, well. Covid 19 is still with us. Oh, well. God is in His Heaven and all is right with the world. Oh, Yeah! Amen.
Bulletin Board:
“How do you pray?” I start with sending prayer darts all over the place, naming individuals who are on my list, or who come to mind – with eyes closed or open, whether in my recliner or at the table or on my bike or walking down the hall or in conversation with Stan or another friend. From Art, the Greatly Blessed.
They have Dial-a-Prayer for atheists now. You call up and it rings and rings but nobody answers.
As the storm raged, the captain realized his ship was sinking fast. He called out, “Anyone here know how to pray?” One man stepped forward. “Aye, Captain, I know how to pray.”
“Good,” said the captain, “you pray while the rest of us put on our life jackets – we’re one short.”
Morning Prayers:
Father, I am tempted to worry about so many things. Our world is a mess! Forgive me for focusing on anything or anyone but You. Thank You for the Bible that equips and empowers me to live each day. Right now, I declare that You are my only Hope. Please help me remember that You really are in control. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Father God, Thank You for Your unfailing love for me, Your blessings, and goodness. Thank You for Your faithfulness to guide me and see me through times of uncertainty, for lifting me up, and setting me on high. Thank You for Scripture that comforts and reminds me of Your promises, plan, and provision. Thank you for taking away my fears and worries, the what-ifs, and reminding me that my help comes from You. Help me be a good steward and to sow wisely. In Christ’s name, Amen.
