What do people know about God and about your faith by watching your life?

The story of Jonah has been following me around, biting at my heels for a while now. At first, it wasn’t in an obvious way- I mean, I wouldn’t have put a name to it in the ways it was showing up. Instead, the lessons we all learned from Jonah’s story became prominent everywhere I looked. Obedience. Willingness to go where called. Faith over fear. Landing in awful places when running from God. Saying yes and never turning back.

A few days ago, while on the phone with my mom, we were talking about witnessing to a family member and she was saying that she could see starting with the bible stories we all learned as children: Noah, Moses, Joseph, David…Jonah. That was the first time the thing that had been tailing me was given a name. The thought of Jonah’s story stuck with me though at the time, I couldn’t say why.

I keep my granddaughter every Monday and Wednesday night while my daughter in law is in class. Without fail, I always sing to her and tell her stories while we play. Last night, while she was in the tub, I thought about what bible story I wanted to tell her. The first one I thought of? You guessed it. Jonah and the whale.

Now, I know what you may be thinking. I thought of Jonah because my mom had just mentioned him a few days prior and some would say you’re right. I, however, would say that if you’ve spent any time at all with God, you’d know there are no coincidences when His hand is at work. He will place things in front of us time and again (though in different ways) to get our attention. I don’t know about you all but for me, He starts with a calm voice, “Amy, do this.” If I don’t listen the first time, the second time is with a little more umph, “Amy, DO this.” I’ll be the first one to admit, sometimes it has to escalate for me to listen to what He’s telling me. Sometimes I just don’t pick up on it right away and other times, I turn my head away because I don’t want to do it. It’s too much. It’s uncomfortable. I’m not capable. No one wants to hear from me or cares what You have for me to say. The usual.

Then this morning, as I opened my devotional book to spend time with Him, it was loud and clear, “AMY DO THIS!” I bet you’re gonna be shocked to find out what my devotion was about this morning. You got it. It was Jonah.

OK, God. I’m listening.

Have you ever been doing something, but you know you could do it better? Like, maybe you’re a baker and you’ve been asked to provide a dessert for your kids or an event? You can make the best cupcakes from scratch but when you go to make them, you’re feeling lazy or in a time crunch, so you just throw quick, premeasured ingredients into a bowl, stir and bake? You did what you were asked. You completed the task. The people who eat them will never know it was from a box, from a “wash rinse repeat” recipe. It’s all good, right? Your little secret.

Did you really do what was asked though?

When God called Jonah to Ninevah, Jonah’s response wasn’t a complete no. He just said anywhere but there. I’ll go anywhere, just don’t send me to Ninevah. Then he ran so hard and fast in the opposite direction that God had to trap him in the belly of a whale to stop him.

I think that’s what God is trying to make me see in my own life. It isn’t that I’m being completely disobedient…I’m just tailoring my obedience to my own comfort. I pray for others. But do I truly intercede for them? I am doing my devotional and reading my bible. But am I really studying and downloading His word like I am supposed to? I am writing again, and finishing works He has placed in front of me. But am I really devoting the time to it that I should? I am walking through life with my Christian badge on. But am I really showing Christ to those around me?

I’m betting if everyone was honest, I wouldn’t be alone here.

When I pulled my bible out to read a few passages after finishing my devotional, it opened to Titus chapter 1 and a yellow highlight caught my attention. “What do people know about God and about your faith by watching your life?” I followed that with reading the scripture it was attached to, “Such people claim they know God, but they deny Him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good.” (Titus 1:16)

Whew. I don’t know about you, but I feel like God is sending me a “call to arms” so to speak. He’s telling me that while I may be living in Him, I also have to live for Him, loud and unapologetic, like I never have before. He is telling me that I need to get my scales and my measuring cups and ensure that I am creating from scratch, from His commands instead of tossing together components that comprise generic, world friendly Christianity. He’s commanding a bold walk, no matter what others say. He is declaring that my influence is needed and imperative, even if I am only influencing one person. He’s saying that while technically I am doing what I am supposed to be doing, I could be doing so much more.

My Ninevah, Friend, is staying out of my comfort zone. My Ninevah is putting myself out there no matter what others think. My Ninevah is rope pulling, carrying heavy burdens and shouldering the weight of others when they can’t make it to Him on their own.

Out of curiosity, what’s your Ninevah?

I don’t know about you, Friend but it’s time for me to get busy because it sure does stink down here in the belly of this whale.