Have you ever wanted something so badly and never understood why God hasn't given it to you yet? Have you ever wondered why God has us go through things in life that break our hearts, make us frustrated, or baffle us? Sometimes I am like this... actually it is a lot of the time (At least I'm honest, right?)
It makes me want to yell at Him and tell Him why my way is so much better and how I have this whole plan worked out for why everything will go "perfectly". Many times you just CANNOT see a better way or a better reason to be patient no matter how hard you try. It gets rough because, if you are like me, you have very little patients to start off with.
Do you think it was easy for Jonah to listen God's command when He told him to preach a touchy subject to Nineveh? Obviously not because he ran from God, trying to get away from His command. He did not like the job God gave him so he ran from it most likely thinking life would be fine if he just ignored it. Little did he know what God had in store. He sent a mighty storm to tussle the ship he rode on. Then after much controversy Jonah said he should be tossed overboard because he was the reason this storm was brought about. We then know he was swallowed by a great fish and had to live in it's belly for many days!! And not until Jonah repented and praised God was he released from it's belly by the mercy of the Lord!
So for Jonah, I am sure his plan included almost NONE of the things God had in store for him. But yet we see that God had a bigger purpose for Him- he helped the people of Nineveh to see their wrong ways and repent to God. Later on Jonah STILL complains about things and God scolds him yet again.
I do not want to be like Jonah who is always complaining and second guessing God. I want to be obedient and patient in all things to see the Lord's ways and purposes for everything He does in my life. I am still learning, boy am I! But what I do know is that life is most definitely not just about me- God also has purposes that are to affect others and be an encouragement to them, even if I downright despise the way it's done.
"The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps." Proverbs 16:9. This is my very favorite of all the verses in the Bible. It helps me to remember that the Lord is in control of everything in my life. As much as I think I know- do I know more than God? (I don't think this requires an answer ;) )
Have a great week ladies!
~Love, Alicia
