Running to Stand Still
This morning our first reading at mass was taken from the book of Jonah. It had never struck me until preparing for this morning’s liturgy that Jonah is the perfect example of how one can be successful as a Christian during this season of Lent. Most of us know the story well. God comes to Jonah and asks him to go to Nineveh to announce the destruction of their city due to the great sinfulness of the people. Jonah responds by getting on the next boat out of town, one that is sailing as far away from Nineveh as possible. Once the boat has set sail, storms begin to rock the boat, threatening to sink it until the crew of the boat learn that God is upset with Jonah. They promptly toss him overboard, he is swallowed by a great fish and spit up on the shore near Nineveh. Jonah, seeing that God’s will is not to be avoided, goes through the city delivering the message. As a result of his preaching, the entire city from the lowliest person to the king repents of their evil ways. God spares the city. Upon hearing of God’s mercy, Jonah is extremely upset and has to be reproved by God.
This story seems instructive to me in that it shows that God is often more successful with us when we are able to get out of the way. It is clear to see that it is not anything great in Jonah that causes the people of Nineveh to repent, but simply God’s message as delivered by Jonah. Jonah goes to great lengths to avoid carrying out God’s will, but God’s word is not stifled. When he finally gets around to doing what God asks of him, it is not his own words that bring about a change in others, but rather God’s words. God does not allow Jonah’s own weakness to get in the way.
Many of us live in a world where we run from place to place in a constant state of busyness that never seems to end. No wonder so many of us try to apply the same principles to our life of faith. Prayer can easily fall into the category of one more task that needs to be done between so many other chores of the day. Approaching the spiritual life in this way usually leaves us standing still, or at best making only a little progress. Usually if I can just set aside some time where I can be quiet and still, where I can simply get out of the way and listen to what God is trying to tell me, my relationship with Him grows. It becomes less about my own plans for myself, and more about His plans. God’s ideas are always superior to mine. I suppose that is because He knows me better than I know myself.
This Lent I’m going to try to see myself more like Jonah, someone who keeps running away from God, but through His grace ends up right where I am supposed to be after all.
Related Posts:
About The Author
Comments