The Boat to Tarshish

Most of us have read the book of Jonah. I was listening to a teaching this week regarding the fact that when Jonah wanted to go in the opposite direction of where God was calling him, there was a boat right there in the port waiting to take him where he wanted to go. The same is true for us. There will always be a boat ready to take me in the opposite direction that God is calling me to go.

Upon boarding the boat to Tarshish, Jonah fell asleep below deck. Then a storm started brewing and became very fierce. It wasn’t until Jonah was awakened by another member of the crew aboard that he realized what was happening. The same is true for us. I finally board the boat that is sailing in my direction, get settled in and fall asleep. Then storms start brewing in my life. Peace leaves and is replaced with waves of fear. Joy leaves and is replaced with waves of resentment. Comfort that was found aboard the boat is now pain as the boat tosses me about. Then, as if right on cue, God uses someone in my life to speak the truth and “wake” me up.

Jonah was exposed as the lots were cast. Now everyone knew that it was his fault that the storm had come. There was only one solution…to toss him overboard. When I sail on that ship of overeating, my behavior becomes exposed because I gain weight. Everyone around me can tell. I must also come to the conclusion that Jonah did. I must be tossed overboard! I have to come to the realization that I cannot control my life with food. I must let it go and I toss myself overboard into God’s hands.

Then the Bible tells us that God arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. It was three days and three nights in that belly of the fish that Jonah had a change of heart. That’s what must take place in me, too. I must die to self. I must abandon my own desires to His. Did it take three days for me? NO! I’m still trying to die to self.

So Jonah finally did what God called him to do in the first place. The assignment was complete and Jonah sat back to watch God do what he thought God should do. Did Jonah learn his lesson? NO! He was still holding on to bitterness and resentment. He was wallowing around in self-pity. “Kill me now for nothing I predicted is going to happen” (Jonah 4:3) I do the same thing!! These emotions are the ones I struggle with the most! Like God told Jonah, I need to constantly remind myself that God prepares both the leafy plant and the worm! I am not God, and I cannot control life. God will continue to call me to do things I don’t really want to do. There will always be the boat ready to take me to Tarshish, but do I really want to board it?

Lord, thank you for showing me that You have so much more to offer me than this world ever can. Teach me how to deal with the waves of emotion that sometimes toss me about. Thank you for family and friends that You bring into my life to speak truth. Guide me in Your Way. In Jesus’ Name... AMEN