Are You a Jonah? Stop Running and Start Swimming!

Are you running from God’s call on your life, convinced you know a better path or just plain scared of what He’s asking? It’s a question many believers wrestle with, and it’s one we need to confront honestly.

Are You a Jonah?

Think about Jonah. God clearly told him to go to Nineveh, but Jonah had other plans. He bought a ticket in the opposite direction, convinced he could outrun the Almighty. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? Maybe God’s been nudging you toward a difficult conversation, a new ministry, or a radical act of obedience, and you’ve found every excuse under the sun to avoid it. You’ve convinced yourself it’s not the right time, you’re not equipped, or someone else could do it better. That’s the Jonah spirit at work—trying to dictate terms to the Creator of the universe.

We can be incredibly good at rationalizing our disobedience. We dress it up in spiritual-sounding language, claim we’re “waiting on the Lord” when we’re really just stalling, or convince ourselves our comfort is more important than His command. But here’s the truth: God’s call isn’t an invitation for negotiation; it’s a divine directive. When we run, we not only miss out on the incredible blessing of partnering with Him, but we also short-circuit His plans for those He wants to reach through us.

Who is God Going to Use to Throw You Out of the Boat?

Now, here’s the kicker, and this is where it gets uncomfortable. Jonah thought he was safe on that ship, sailing away from his responsibilities. But God, in His infinite wisdom and relentless love, had a plan to get Jonah’s attention. He sent a great storm, and ultimately, it was the very people Jonah was trying to escape from—the sailors—who threw him overboard.

So, if you’re a Jonah right now, actively avoiding God’s clear instruction, you need to ask yourself: Who is God going to use to throw you out of the boat? It might not be a literal storm, but it will be something designed to get your attention and redirect your course.

Could it be a crisis in your finances that forces you to trust Him completely? Perhaps a relationship that falters, revealing a deeper need for His guidance? It could even be a challenging word from a friend, a sermon that pierces your heart, or a sudden, undeniable conviction that leaves you no choice but to surrender. God loves you too much to let you wallow in disobedience. He will orchestrate circumstances, sometimes uncomfortable ones, to bring you back into alignment with His will.

The question isn’t if God will get your attention, but how. Wouldn’t it be better to willingly step off the boat and into His purpose, rather than waiting for Him to send the storm? Let’s choose to be obedient now, before the “fish” arrives.

Are you ready to stop running and embrace where God wants you to go?

A Call to Action:

1. Examine Your Heart: Take honest inventory. Is there a nudge, a whisper, or even a shout from God that you’ve been ignoring? What is He asking you to do that you’ve been resisting?
2. Repent and Realign: Confess your disobedience or hesitation to God. Ask for His forgiveness and for the strength to align your will with His.
3. Take the First Step: Don’t wait for perfect clarity. What’s one small, obedient step you can take today in the direction God is calling you? Even a small act of surrender can open the floodgates of His grace.
4. Embrace Accountability: Share your struggles and your renewed commitment with a trusted spiritual mentor or friend. Ask them to pray for you and gently hold you accountable.
5. Trust His Faithfulness: Believe that as you step out in obedience, God will provide everything you need—the wisdom, the resources, and the courage—to fulfill His purpose. He is for you, not against you.

Closing Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we come before You with humble hearts, acknowledging Your sovereignty and Your perfect will for our lives. Forgive us, Lord, for the times we have run from Your call, for the moments we have prioritized our comfort over Your command. We repent of our Jonah-like tendencies and ask for Your grace to turn back to You completely. Strengthen us, Holy Spirit, to take that first step of obedience, no matter how daunting it may seem. Give us ears to hear Your voice clearly and hearts to respond with unwavering trust. We surrender our plans, our fears, and our very lives into Your capable hands. Use us, Lord, for Your glory and for the advancement of Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.