On Sunday I preached a message about Jonah’s life during which I mentioned some things that were thrown overboard in his life before he, himself was tossed overboard as was swallowed by a big fish.
When Jonah needed to talk to God the most his prayer life had already gone overboard. He was in crisis, his life was at stake, and other people’s lives had been critically impacted. Even the pagans on the ship were praying to their gods, but Jonah couldn’t pray at all.
Have you ever run so far from God you didn’t even think you could pray? What should have been Jonah’s first instinct never even crossed his mind. If you determine to disconnect from God’s will for your life, you will find the last person you want to talk to is God. Jonah didn’t want to hear what God had to say, and Jonah didn’t want to admit he had messed up.
The second thing I would note is that Jonah’s compassion had gone overboard. He was a prophet of God, but he didn’t even seem to be concerned for the crew on the ship. The text gives us the impression that Jonah had just quit caring. He was asleep in the belly of the ship as the storm raged and the crew bailed water. It was almost as if he had a “whatever happens, happens” mentality.
People who live apart from God’s will, won’t have a sense of purpose and destiny. They will resort to just “taking life as it happens” rather than seek to be a game changer or have any impact. They will accept hardship without a fight and without the expression of their faith, and will be oblivious to the trouble in other people’s lives around them.
The third thing I see is that Jonah’s testimony had gone overboard. He openly confessed he was running from God, refusing to do what God had asked. He destroyed his testimony, discrediting himself as a prophet of God. When we take the name “Christian” we have a huge responsibility to try to live up to the name.
If you are a Christian you are a living testimony whether a good one or a bad one that Christ is alive, in you, and that He is making a difference or that He is not making a difference in your life.
If prayer, compassion for others, and a desire to represent Christ well have gone overboard in your life, why not bow your head and put those things back in your boat right now?
Pastor Melissa
