Among the other rabble we mostly know as heroes of the Bible is a questionable character by the name of Jonah. Does that sound a bit harsh? How would you put it? Let’s look at his life briefly.
Jonah disobeyed a direct command from God. He was told to go right, he went left. He endangered others around him. When he finally does what God tells him to do, he finds success to be an unhappy occasion. In fact, the story ends with Jonah more concerned with his own comfort while waiting for the people of Ninevah to be destroyed. And who doesn’t like to be comfortable when watching death and destruction?
So, for those of you keeping track, we have a prophet that doesn’t want to actually be listened to. I imagine some of the other prophets might have put a beat down on Jonah, only wishing their audiences listened as well. A prophet wanting to be ignored is like a musician wanting only to sell his art to the deaf.
Perhaps, if we were to go back in time, we would find that Jonah never wanted to be a prophet. Maybe it wasn’t his choice. I understand that. But it is his total lack of compassion that earns him disdain by those who hear his story.
However…
Let’s not be so hasty. After all, February is Compassion month. Where is our sympathy for Jonah? Even more importantly, where is our sympathy for those less fortunate than us. Others may have physical ailments, emotional traumas or spiritual problems. Hmm, don’t we all?
I am offering up a challenge for us all. What if we spent this month finding and supporting some ministry that was already showing compassion? What makes your heart break? What makes it beat and feel alive? Jump in and make a difference. You may just find someone else out there who feels as you do.
The difference you make may not be earth-shattering, but I imagine that it will change the world of someone. After preaching to Ninevah, Jonah was upset by God’s show of compassion, showing he had none himself. On the flipside, we can read many stories where Jesus had compassion on those who were lost and hurting.
I’d recommend doing something inside and outside the church. And when you find someone that shares your burden, praise God! You just doubled your efforts. It’s too easy to criticize Jonah while forgetting that God has called us to go as well.
Are you heading in the right direction?
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