Wrestling With God’s Calling

In the ancient narrative of the Book of Jonah, we find a compelling portrayal of the human struggle with God's calling. Jonah, a prophet of Israel, is given a clear command from God—to go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim its impending destruction due to its wickedness. However, Jonah's response is anything but obedient. He flees in the opposite direction, boarding a ship bound for Tarshish, attempting to escape from the presence of the Lord.

The Lord gave this message to Jonah son of Amittai: “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are.” But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from the Lord by sailing to Tarshish. Jonah 1:1-3 (NLT)

This initial act of defiance sets the stage for a profound journey of spiritual wrestling. It reflects a universal experience—when faced with God's calling, we may encounter fear, doubt, or reluctance to step into the unknown. Jonah's flight symbolizes our own tendencies to resist God's plans when they challenge our comfort or understanding.

Yet, God does not let Jonah escape so easily. He sends a great storm, disrupting Jonah's voyage and revealing His sovereignty over nature and circumstances. Through a series of events, including Jonah being swallowed by a large fish and spending three days in its belly, God teaches Jonah the importance of surrender and obedience (Jonah 1:4-17).

Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from inside the fish. 2 He said, “I cried out to the Lord in my great trouble, and he answered me. I called to you from the land of the dead, and Lord, you heard me! 3 You threw me into the ocean depths, and I sank down to the heart of the sea. The mighty waters engulfed me; I was buried beneath your wild and stormy waves. 4 Then I said, ‘O Lord, you have driven me from your presence. Yet I will look once more toward your holy Temple.’ 5 “I sank beneath the waves, and the waters closed over me. Seaweed wrapped itself around my head. 6 I sank down to the very roots of the mountains. I was imprisoned in the earth, whose gates lock shut forever. But you, O Lord my God, snatched me from the jaws of death! 7 As my life was slipping away, I remembered the Lord. And my earnest prayer went out to you in your holy Temple. Those who worship false gods turn their backs on all God’s mercies. 9 But I will offer sacrifices to you with songs of praise, and I will fulfill all my vows. For my salvation comes from the Lord alone.” Jonah 2:1-9 (NLT)

Jonah's prayer from the belly of the fish reflects a turning point—a heartfelt plea for deliverance and a renewed commitment to fulfill God's calling. He emerges from this ordeal transformed, ready to heed God's command.

The climax of Jonah's story comes when he reluctantly obeys and preaches to the people of Nineveh. To his surprise, they respond with repentance, prompting God to show mercy and spare the city from destruction.

When God saw what they had done and how they had put a stop to their evil ways, he changed his mind and did not carry out the destruction he had threatened. Jonah 3:10 (NLT)

This unexpected outcome challenges Jonah's assumptions about God's character and expands his understanding of God's compassion for all people.

Ultimately, the Book of Jonah serves as a poignant reminder of the journey we all undertake in responding to God's calling. It teaches us about the transformative power of surrender, the need for trust in God's wisdom, and the expansive reach of His grace. Like Jonah, may we embrace our calling with humility and faith, knowing that God's plans are always for our good and His glory.