Jonah thrown overboard!

For Jonah 1:13-16

I prepared myself in the morning, calm, ready for what the Lord had in store for the day, and then the questions. And the circus troupe (my three daughters) started practicing. And the air conditioner hose broke on the car. Oh, the soles fell off my boots as well. Do you wonder sometimes why so many things can pummel us at times? These things I would never worry about. Many similar things happen each day, so what is it about when we notice? Especially when we get riled up inside, exasperated by those close to us, even poked at by the world.

Well, at times this is the Lord. He pulls back grace and allows us to be exposed. The winds howl, the waves break over the gunnels, and everything inside is tossed about. At times this is the path of transformation, of obtaining new life inside. The working of Christ's magnificent ministry in us practically. He loves us so much that He works these situations to mold us and craft us into the expression of Jesus. His effort is towards us growing up in love.

But what do we do? Well, I naturally 'row towards shore' as a first instinct. Yes, loving father that I am, I think "Gotta go get coffee, alone." Or perhaps "Time to work!" Maybe "Shopping trip, see you all in a while." Sometimes the situation is bigger, more complicated. A friend has changed to a personal irritation, and you can't find life in the relationship. Or someone at work has targeted you as the 'straight man', or the end of all things that roll down hill. Yet the answer is the same. Our natural man wants to find safety, escape the torment.

We spend great effort to reach shore. Yet imagine those sailors, rowing furiously into a gale. That is painful, and strenuous! All is vain, empty work and wasted time when it is the hand of the Lord. He is ever at our side, guiding and protecting us. If you suddenly wake up to a situation where the inner man questions "Where are you Lord?", consider that He is ready to do a work in you. Don't prolong the storm. Simply yield to the hand of God, and let Him guide you to the altar.

His ministry comes to us. It was because of our transgression that He died, yet He did not kill Himself. Just as Jonah did not jump overboard, the priest of Israel, the leaders of God's people had Him crucified. Enter in to that same sacrifice, laying down the natural man, who is reckoned dead in Him, and He replaces inside with that which is not corrupt. We must work at the altar. Respond to the word of God. In essence, you are responsible for the offering. It can be no other way.

"The sea ceased from raging." You know what to do now! Praise Him with every praise! Dedicate yourself to following after that new life He has filled you with. The sailors 'feared' the Lord greatly. We know that in the presence of perfection, we have no right to stand, yet He stands up within us. I find that same fear, not of foreboding doom as under the law, but of no self justification whatsoever. Complete reliance upon His life is a fearful path, but one of great freedom!

As for my 'calm day', it was not until my evening session that He exposed my twisting and turning. To lay down and let Him fill us with love, especially for those around us who irritate at times, goes deep into the building of the body. More love to us! And less of me...

For this meeting, here is the current agenda:

Prayer and Thanksgiving:
On Wednesday we will be praying for the city of Honolulu. Prepare your heart, ask the Lord for specific burdens to give you. Lift up those who we have touched with the gospel, that He would open a door for the word into their hearts.

Open questions:
Should we revisit this section separately, or move on? There is a whole bunch of teaching to be had here, but I really want to dig into Jonah's prayer...

Current topic:
Now we transition into some imagery and concepts that need time to soak in the Spirit. I suggest reading the whole prayer of Jonah a couple of times, on different days. For the next meeting, lets just look at Jonah 1:17 and 2:1-3 with the idea of understanding what is the whale, what is Sheol, what are the waves and billows. Also, we see the first testimony from Jonah that this whole situation is crafted by God. Lets try to find some similar references, or experiences.

Conclusion:
Lord, open our eyes to the life. Even the eyes of our hearts to follow You in coming together. Make us see the body, recognize the needs of the bride. And be that supply in us for her.