One winter night my cat darted outside, refused to come back in, and ran from me even though a cold front was quickly dropping the temperature. This morning I could hear her outside the window calling to me. As I got ready for work, she followed me from room to room and called to me from under each window. She was relentless until I finally took the time to go and open the door for her.
Do you remember the story of Jonah? God called him to go to the city of Nineveh, but he didn’t want to go. Instead he boarded a boat and ran in the opposite direction trying to escape God’s plan. “Jonah got up to flee to Tarshish from the Lord’s presense” (Jonah 1:3) But when God sent a huge storm, the men threw Jonah overboard after deciding that he was the reason for the storm. “Then they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea stopped its raging” (Jonah 1:15). God then sent a big fish to save him because He still had a plan for Jonah. After three days in the belly of the fish, he finally agreed to obey God’s calling and go to Nineveh. “Then the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land” (Jonah 1:10).
Imagine how much easier things would have been for Jonah if he had answered God’s calling the first time. Unfortunately, sometimes He must take drastic measures (like a storm and a huge fish) to get our attention, but thankfully He’s also a God of second chances. “Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time” (Jonah 3:1) Like my cat, God will follow you to every room of your life calling out to you. I’m so glad that He is persistent and keeps calling my name when I don’t listen.
What is He calling you to do? Maybe He’s sent messages through the words of a friend, a scripture, a devotional, or a song. Maybe it’s something He wants you to do or someone He wants you to forgive. Maybe He wants to guide you back to a close relationship with Him, or most importantly to offer you the gift of salvation. Very possibly, it is something that is outside of your comfort zone and makes you want to run like Jonah, but He wants you to trust Him.
Whatever the reason you have not answered, stop now and listen. Really listen and open that door of obedience instead of running in the opposite direction. Don’t keep ignoring His call.
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Tresa Walker - Strength Renewed 