I recently finished the most challenging project of my life: I wrote my first book, and if you haven’t heard, it’s a devotional book.
I had many conversations protesting Jesus’ plans while working on it. My imagined interactions with God went something like this: I walk up to Jesus’ door, saying, “Lord, Jesus, it’s me again” Jesus opens the door. I quickly say, “Thank you for answering. I’m feeling quite anxious about what we discussed earlier. I know you mentioned You know the plans You have for me, but I think they got a little messed up.”
In my heart was a huge protest sign because at this point my plans and God’s were not coinciding. Jesus continues as He replies, “No, I know the plans I have for you.”
“Yeah, I hear what you’re saying, but writing a book about my medical experience differs from what I have in mind.”
Jesus then smiles broadly and says, “I know my plans for you.”
“And here I thought I could get out of this,” I mutter as I walk stomp off the porch steps. Not with the most willing heart, I concede, “Okay, I’m off to write my book.”
The Book Of Jonah
The Book of Jonah gives us insights from his experience of protesting God’s plans. Look at Jonah. He didn’t want to go to Nineveh to preach. Jonah got his calendar and made his own set of plans. Instead of going to Nineveh, he protested by lacing up his sandals and hopping on a boat. He thought his idea was better. But while on the boat, the wind came, and the sea kept getting rougher and rougher. The sailors eventually throw Jonah overboard. God conveniently provides a big fish to swallow him.
Scripture says, “From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God.” (Jonah 2:1). Jonah no longer has protest signs to wave regarding God’s plans for his life, Jonah recalls, “In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and he listened to my cry” (Jonah 2:2).
So, after 3 days and 3 nights, the fish spits him out onto dry land, and off to Nineveh Jonah goes. There, he preaches, and the people of Nineveh repent and turn from their evil ways. All this occurred because God ignored Jonah’s protests and proceeded to push him toward obedience.
Like Jonah, I wasn’t a big fan of doing what the Lord told me to do, but I eventually wrote the book, and within two days, most of the copies were sold.
Something To Think About
How often, as Christians, do we feel our plans are better than God’s, or do we not want to do what God asks? Even when we protest loudly, God’s plans are always good. It took massive measures to convince Jonah that God’s plans are massively good.
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Blessings,
Ashley Marie
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