This Is Me--2024 A to Z Theme

My A to Z Themes in the past have covered a range of topics and for 2024 the theme is a personal retrospective that I call "I Coulda Been" which is in reference to my job and career arc over my lifetime. I'll be looking at all sorts of occupations that I have done or could have done. Maybe you've done some of these too!

Sunday, August 1, 2010

When Everything's Hunky Dory

            The Hebrew prophet Jonah tried to run away from God's call for him to preach to the citizens of the evil city of Nineveh in order to get them to repent and turn to God.  However God stopped him by causing a giant fish to swallow him and return him to his appointed mission.  Jonah's preaching was successful and the city of Nineveh was saved from God's destruction.  Jonah was angry that God would show compassion toward this enemy of Israel.  God asked Jonah if he had a right to be angry about this.

         Jonah went out and sat down at a place east of the city. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city.  Then the LORD God provided a vine and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the vine.
Jonah 4:5-6 (New International Version)

          Jonah displays a real lack of respect for God in his act of pouting.  He also shows a doubt for what God has said He would do.  Even though God said that He is going to spare Nineveh from destruction if they repent, Jonah, after bringing the city to its knees in repentance, goes to watch and wait for the destruction of Nineveh.  Does he doubt his own persuasive abilities as a prophet?  Or does he doubt that God will do what He says He will do?

           As has been the case throughout the book of Jonah, details are sparse and we are given only a limited amount of information.  Geographically Nineveh is situated in a desert environment that can be very hot.  These verses tell us that Jonah is waiting to the east of the city, which would mean the sun is rising behind him as he waits in what is probably a rather crudely built shelter.  As the day progresses Jonah is growing increasingly uncomfortable in the heat.

           What does God do for his sullen servant?  He shows Jonah compassion by miraculously providing a vine to grow over him to give him additional shade.  What does Jonah do?  These verses do not say he did anything except that he was happy.  Jonah should have been praising God for this miracle, but instead, in his selfish anger, he is content in his own good fortune in having this vine grow over his head and he does not attribute this miracle to God's compassion for him.

            When things aren't going our way we sometimes complain to God about why these terrible things are happening to us.  How often are our prayers concerned with what we need God to do for us, or what we want Him to give us?   Prayers can be comforting in bad times, but they can also be self-centered plaints about the predicament we are in.   Perhaps these should be the times of turning to God for forgiveness, support, and praise.  When Jonah was in the belly of the fish, his properly directed prayers were heard by God and acted upon.   When Jonah was being selfish, God wanted Jonah to understand the wrongness of his thinking by giving him a lesson to dwell upon.

           More important than presenting God with lists of our needs is that we approach him with praise and gladness on our lips for all that He has done for us and all of creation.   God's blessings upon each of us is a cause for celebrating another victory of the greatness of God.   What we want is not the most important thing.  What God wants should be everything to us.  When we can help bring others to the awareness of who God is and what God can do, then we are doing the work that God has called us to do.

 God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear him.
Psalm 67:7 (New International Version)

9 comments:

  1. Good Sunday Lee, another wonderful write, so uplifting .
    Makes one feel pleased to be alive.

    Yvonne.

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  2. Jonah had his problems and yet God used him for his glory.

    My opinion only, I think God especially loves complicated people.

    Great post, Lee.

    Teresa

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  3. Most people's prayers are full of requests when they should be full of praise.

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  4. Another lovely Sunday you have provided in a story. I have come to realize this place, this time, it has purpose and thus my prayer, for understanding and guidance.

    Very up lifting Lee. Have a peaceful, enjoyable Sunday.

    Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

    PS Thank you again for mentioning me the other day. :)

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  5. i can relate to Jonah in that aspect of not giving God enough praise...

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  6. What I would give for hunky dory right now.

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  7. Yvonne -- We can always find something to be thankful about.

    Teresa -- Yeah, I've noticed that. Funny how that works-- a good tip for writers in there I guess.

    Alex -- I've been trying to get more on a praise mode, but I still like to ask God for a few things.

    Jules -- Thank you for all of your encouragement for me.

    Bud -- When things aren't going absolutely terrible I think we sometimes forget about praise. And when things are really bad we also get kind of preoccupied.

    Gregg -- I'm always ready for hunky-dory, but I guess I can't complain too much.

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  8. So easy to run to God when we are surrounded by problems and then push him to the side when everything is going okay....I have been guilty of this (not proud of it) Have a great week.....:-)Hugs

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  9. Bernie -- Yes, when things are going great I'm often basking in the warmth and wonderfulness of it all and become absorbed in my own world. I need to always remember to acknowledge God for all good things. You have a great week as well.

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Lee