Christ Church Rockville Lenten Devotion
Jonah 3:1–4:11
Heb. 12:1-14
Luke 18:9-14
Jonah 3:10-4:1 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it. But this was very displeasing to Jonah, and he became angry.
In this reading the word of God has come to Jonah a second time to tell him to go to the city of Nineveh and cry out against its wickedness. As we all remember the story of Jonah, the first time the word of God came to Jonah he ran away from the presence of the Lord, boarded a ship, was thrown overboard and was swallowed by a whale. God saved Jonah in response to Jonah's pleas for forgiveness and salvation.
Jonah finally goes to Nineveh and proclaimed that in forty days Nineveh shall be overthrown. The people believed Jonah as a prophet of God, turned from their wickedness and God spared the city.
Even though Jonah was a successful prophet and missionary he remained very angry and wanted to die. He never wanted to go to Nineveh. He was disobedient, rebellious, willful, and ungrateful. He wanted to live his life his own way and not be the agent of his benevolent God. He could not escape his appointed task but he still resented and deplored every step.
So often I see myself in Jonah. I want my days and my life to go the way I want them to go. I have preconceived ideas of the perfect event, the perfect day, the perfect season, the perfect vacation. Life rarely approaches perfection and I am often disappointed, resentful, or sorrowful. We have many common adages for our 'Jonah' times. 'Don't view the glass as half empty.' 'Don't throw the baby out with the bath water.' 'Don't cut off your nose to spite your face.'
During this Lenten season I wish to recognize, embrace and harvest the hidden gifts and bounty which abound in my life that are ever given by God.
