Jonah 1 -- State of Denial

Four chapter book with a total of 48 verses. It almost reads like a moral inventory, or a confession of racism, by that honest man of God, Jonah.

I'm struck by the variety of forms that Jonah's denial of God's call shows itself. All in a single day. Unfortunately, I can relate.

Verses 1-3: Jonah tries fleeing
but the storm catches him

Verses 4-6: Jonah tries sleeping
but the shipmaster catches him

Verses 7-10: Jonah tries silence
but the lot catches him

Verses 11-17: Jonah tries dying
but the fish catches him

Chapter 2: God catches him and says, "Please step into my office."

The Word of the Lord came to Jonah...Oh how I desire that I would have ears to hear the word of the Lord Himself, rather than my old tapes or the judgments & opinions of others. And that I would not only have the ears to hear, but the strength to live it out.

Arise, go to Nineveh...But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish...How often I only follow through with half obedience. Jonah certainly arose, but he went his own way after that! That's what I mean, the strength to live it out fully!

He went down to Joppa...
He went down into the ship...
Jonah had gone down into the lowest part of the ship...
Jonah went down into the belly of the fish...
Talk about spiraling downward! And what a God-awful depression...down into the lowest part.
And yet, there must be some comfort in knowing that "the Lord prepared the great wind on the sea" (4) and "the Lord prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah." (17)

Every man cried out to his god...but Jonah... Jonah is the only one who missed the prayer meeting, the very one who was to be the witness to those around him. But because of his choice to avoid God's call, things got all out of whack.

Thankfully in chapter two we shall see Jonah awaken from his denial...there is hope!!

My Commitments

VISION STATEMENT

I will risk failure and judgment to hear God and my heart
for direction in my life as I pursue my dream.

Personal:
Find a Medical Doctor

Spiritual:
Read and Write about one chapter from the Bible

Professional:
Search for a thorough skills/interest test to determine possible job interest.


3 Weeks:
To have at least one, perhaps two, tools to deal with tension and stress in my life other than self-destructive behaviour.

4 Months:
To be able to experience stating my preference without feeling guilty or selfish, especially with D..

2 Years:
To be responsible for my own decisions, trusting my relationship with God to hear His voice for what I will do with my life.
To be teaching.

I Get by with a Little Help from My Friends!

I don't really know what I will be posting here, except an update on my life plan and the baby action steps that will help get me there.

One of my baby action steps that has to occur before P2 is to muse a bit about one chapter in the Bible. I've read Jonah and think I shall attempt all 4 chapters of this small book, but will allow myself to enjoy the victory if I get but one chapter done.

So long as none of my class 256 mates mind, later on I'll put them on a group email that will shoot out after each time I post, just to help in this accountability thing.