«But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord» (Jonah 1:3).
American author and theologian Tm Keller thought Jonah escaped from God twice: first, by disobeying; then, by obeying. When God told Jonah to go and preach to Nineveh, he took a ship in the opposite direction and fled. Then, repentant, he returned and preached the message God had given him. However, when the Lord forgave the people of Nineveh, Jonah was very angry. Although he was «fulfilling» God’s will, Jonah was still far from Him.
We can flee from God by disobeying Him, by living an immoral and selfish life (like the younger son in the parable of the Prodigal Son); however, we can also flee from God through obedience and legalism (like the older son in the parable). In his article «Jonah and the Two Ways to Flee the Presence of the Lord,» Keller wrote, «Neither of the two sons trusted his father’s love. They were both trying to find ways to get out of his control. One did so by obeying all the rules of the father; the other, by disobeying all of them.»
Legalism and rebellion arise from the same source. Both are an answer to the same lie: that God does not seek our good, that He is stingy, and that we have to tear blessings out of His clenched fists. If we believe this, we will rebel, slam the door, and take away the only «good» thing the Father has: His money. Or, depending on our personality, we will stay at home, earning «frequent flyer miles» to force Him to give us the only «good» thing He owns: His money. After all, our relationship with God is defined through the image we have of Him.
What kind of God do you really believe in? Does God truly love you and want what is best for you? As long as we doubt God’s love, we will find a thousand ways to run away from Him, but God doesn’t give up! He sent His Son to clarify His intentions by showing us that He has something to give us that is much better than blessings or an inheritance: He gave Himself.
Dear Lord, please show me the aspects of my life in which I’m running away from You. Illuminate my heart with Your Spirit! Give me the gift of genuine repentance and reveal Your love more deeply so that I may learn to trust You with all my heart.
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Take From: Devotional Thoughts for Women 2022
«NO FEARS»
BY: VANEZA PISSUTO
Collaborators: Alexandra Pérez & Angelica Cuate.
