I ask God often to lead me into the uncomfortable, unknown, and darkest places. When He shows me those places I begin to put stipulations on Him. My wants become more important than His plans. I don’t want to get attached, I don’t want others to get the wrong impression, I don’t want to be here longer than X amount of time, and the list goes on.
In the book of Jonah God called to Jonah one day and told him to go preach to Nineveh. Jonah hated this idea because Nineveh wanted nothing to do with preaching to them. Jonah tried to run away from God in the opposite direction. God sent a great storm upon the ship and Jonah was thrown overboard. As soon as they tossed Jonah in the water, the storm stopped. God sent a big fish to swallow Jonah and to save him from drowning. While in the belly of the big fish Jonah prayed to God for help, repented, and praised God. For three days Jonah sat in the belly of the fish. Then, God had the big fish throw up Jonah onto the shores of Nineveh. Jonah preached to Nineveh and warned them to repent. The people believed Jonah and God had mercy on them.
Sometimes I feel like I am in the belly of a big fish. I choose to do something my way instead of first seeking the Lord’s guidance and leading. Like Jonah, you may not particularly like the mission God has for you but He has the intention of making you ideally suited to carry that plan out.
Where is your Nineveh? Take a minute, think about the place(s) you wouldn’t go even if God called you to go. I’ve got good news for you, God is the God of second, third, and fourth chances.
While in Peru God has taught me a lot about where my Nineveh is. This month we are working with an organization called YWAM, Youth with a Mission, doing evangelism. God told me to go over to a man standing on the side of the street. I looked over and he seemed busy so I prayed God would place someone else in my path. The next thing I know the man was standing next to me. His name is Miguel and we had the best conversation about who God says he is, seeing heaven on earth, and sharing my story with him. If God hadn’t brought Miguel over to me I totally would have missed the goal of sharing the love of God with him. The remainder of our time in Peru I am seeking obedience in where God is leading me and who He is leading me to.
