The account of Jonah and the whale is familiar. God sent Jonah to Nineveh. But, Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed to Tarshish instead (Jonah 1). Jonah was one of God’s prophets. It was his responsibility to carry God’s word to people who needed to hear it. God wanted Jonah to warn the Ninevites of coming judgment. Instead of obeying willingly, Jonah ran in the opposite direction.
Jonah had good reason to want to avoid Nineveh. The people there had a reputation of evil cruelty. So, he bought a ticket and boarded a ship for Tarshish. It wasn’t all smooth sailing. The Lord sent a powerful wind. The sailors operating the ship were terrified of the storm. They knew Jonah was running from the Lord. At Jonah’s urging, they unwillingly threw Jonah overboard, and prayed to his God that He wouldn’t hold them responsible for his death. The storm stopped. Then God sent a great fish to swallow Jonah.
After three days, the fish spit him out. God again asked Jonah to go to Nineveh. This time Jonah obeyed.
When we submit our lives to the Lord, He has the authority to send us anywhere. Where He nudges us to go may seem unpleasant, uncomfortable, and unwelcome. But as illustrated in the story of Jonah and the whale, deliberate disobedience often turns out to be worse than what we try to avoid. Also, as Jonah’s story illustrates, we can’t outrun God.
One year when our son was in elementary school, his school performed a musical that addressed a believer’s willingness to serve the Lord. In catchy little tunes the cast vowed to do anything to express their devotion. They offered to give money, teach Sunday school, or cook and serve meals. They sang about car washes and raking leaves. They said they would visit the sick. But after each verse, they came back to the chorus, “But please, please, don’t send me to Africa.”
A widely held belief among both Christians and non-Christians is that if they make a deeper commitment to Christ, or any commitment at all, they will soon be packing their bags for the jungle.
Missionary friends I know who have spent time in third world countries went there willingly. At that time in their lives, they were exactly where they wanted to be.
I admire my missionary friends greatly. They gave up a lot, in a worldly sense, to advance the cause of Christ in the world. From their stories, I know lives have been changed for eternity. One such dear friend, while home in the states temporarily, made some interesting observations. She said, “Everyone has a place. Everyone has a role. God has called us to different things. Some are called to go. Some are called to support those who go to an overseas mission field with their prayers and financial gifts. Others are called to serve God where they are. Our mission field is wherever God has placed us in any season of our life.”
God may not call us to Africa. But if He does, it will be the most rewarding place to be.
The center of God’s will is always the most rewarding place for any of us to be. May we be faithful to use what He has given us where He has placed us now.
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17
Do you identify with Jonah and the whale? How do you respond when God prods you to do something beyond your comfort level? Please leave a comment below.
Blessings,
Phyllis
© 2025 Phyllis L. Farringer
Image by Su-Enna Ryckert from Pixabay
Thanking God for your blog!
Thank you, Debby. I’m glad you liked it.
Spot on, Phyllis:
Whenever I resist attending a social event, training, or other required activity, I leave having made friends and exposed to new ideas. God is always challenging us to grow and evolve.
Amen! Thank you, Holly.
The center of Good’s will is only apparent to me when I let go of my ideas of what should be. Thank you for pointing out that when God prods me, His purpose and plan are better than I can imagine.
Good thought. When we let go of our idea of what should be, we are better able to see where God might be leading. Thanks, Vivian.