But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. — Jonah 1:3 (NKJV)
Some years ago, I was trying to get my son to stay in his stroller, and he started running away from me. He mustered all his effort and ran, but it only took me two steps to catch up with him. I didn’t have to do much. No matter how fast he could run, he was still within my reach, so I quickly caught him and got him to do what I asked. As he ran, the only thing that came to my mind was, “How far can he really go?” In his mind, he felt he was escaping, but he didn’t realize he couldn’t get far.
Maybe you have been trying to run away from God. The question I have for you today is this: How far can you run? Does it occur to you that no matter how far you go or how long you run, you can never outrun God? You will quickly find that it is in your best interest to submit yourself to His will instead of running.
Sometimes we complicate our lives by running away from the things God wants us to do. We forget that no matter how fast we run, it takes God no effort to catch up with us and bring us back to His purpose. We often think we are being smart, but in reality, running from God and His call is not wisdom; it is foolishness of the highest order. Instead of fleeing, we should yield ourselves to God’s call and do what He asks.
Jonah tried running when God called him to go and warn the people of Nineveh, but how far was he able to get? He didn’t go far before God caught up with him and commanded a fish to swallow him (Jonah 1). Today, there are many “Jonahs” who are currently in the belly of a fish, and they don’t know how to get out. They wonder what is happening in their lives, unaware that their situation is a direct result of their running. If only they knew, their lives would be much better.
Your case should be different. If you have been running all this while, God wants you to stop. He wants you to answer His call and fulfill His assignment for your life. You must understand that each time He calls us to do something, it is always for our own good. God will not call you to do anything that will not benefit you. Therefore, answer His call today and get to work. Praise God!
Today’s Rhema
God will not call you to do anything that will not be for your benefit!
Prayer
Glorious Father, I thank You for finding me worthy to do Your bidding. Therefore, I choose this day to answer Your call and carry out Your assignment for my life in the name of Jesus. Amen!
