We often think that we have the perfect plan for our lives. Perfection meaning being comfortable. We are comfortable with where we are. When we become comfortable the last thing that we want is to have someone rock the boat. We like it where we are and we do not want to move. In fact when prompted to move we become agitated because we have no desire to move. We are comfortable with where things are. Satisfied. We want to do things our way. This typically is the time when God decides that he wants to use us.
We’ll listen to what He has to say, but often we choose another option. The option where we can stay comfortable and not have to change or give everything up. We run. Maybe not physically but we turn our back on what we are supposed to be doing. We become like the prophet Jonah. Jonah was told by God to go to Nineveh and Jonah refused. Like Jonah, running for a bit may seem like a good option. We get it in our heads that we can do it on our own. We get the idea that we don’t need God in our life.
But eventually something happens where we realize that we need him. Sometimes we turn to God right on time and other times it may be too late. Jonah was swallowed by the large fish- a time out.
A time out is a type of punishment that we equate to giving a toddler. When we choose to go our own way, often God will put us in a time out. A place you don’t necessarily want to be but God is placing you in until He decides you are ready to come out. It could be a financial crisis, a sick family member or a missed promotion at work. It is usually at this time where we realize that we should have listened. We realize that we could not have done it on our own even though we thought we could have. We decide that it’s time to get right and God is generous enough to give us a second change.
Once we have been given the second chance, unlike last time, we jump at the opportunity. We, like Jonah, set ourselves on the path that God had originally set for us. This time we don’t try to run but instead we go wholeheartedly, excited to follow whatever path God has ordained for us to follow.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jonah+1&version=NIV