I was reading the story of Jonah and felt very challenged by how it opens: The word of the Lord came to Jonah . . .’Go to the great city of Ninevah and preach against it because its wickedness has come up before me.’ But Jonah ran away from the Lord. Jonah 1:1-2
Jonah ran away. He listened to the voice of fear and tried to flee from his God given purpose because he felt it would be too costly. He wanted to hide and could only see from the distorted lens of his own reactions.
We can all fear what God may say to us or ask us to do. I enjoy encouraging people to listen to his voice, emphasising how his words transform our lives. But the Bible also indicates how challenging it can be to hear God. He is almighty and majestic in holiness, and it’s easy to forget that.
On one occasion I encountered him as the God of glory when I was walking Marilyn’s guide dog. It was a miserable day with an iron sky and freezing temperatures. and I was eager to get home. But suddenly a ray of sunshine broke through the cloud and instead of just a small area being illuminated, the whole field glowed with golden light. Everything seemed to still like a holy hush and a scripture burst so powerfully into my mind that it felt like the audible voice of God.
Creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. (Romans 8:19)
Like the disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration I felt almost terrified, such was the sense of his holiness. I gazed at the golden grass and knew God was saying that just as he had caused that ordinary grass to radiate his glory, so he gave us the light of his presence to reveal the wonder of who he is to those around us. He was saying, do not turn away from what I’ve made you to be, my beloved daughter, because the very creation needs your testimony in order to become fully alive.
Like the grass I often feel very ordinary and hide from the call of God, believing others will serve him better than me. But it is awesome that the very creation is waiting for me and all of us to rise up and live in the truth of what God has made us to be, his beloved and light filled sons and daughters.
Ninevah repented and was saved when Jonah eventually stopped running from God’s call. Who knows what beautiful works God might be planning to do through you and me as we listen for his voice?
Prayer O Lord,please forgive me for those times I’ve run from your call. Thank you that you never give up on me. Whatever it takes, I long to listen to you with open ears and a ready heart. Amen.
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