Jonah 4:1-4 - From Prodigal to Older Son

Every time I read these verses I am drawn to Jesus' story of the prodigal son. For the first 3 chapters Jonah is more like the prodigal son, but here he becomes the older brother. He is apalled by the Father's graciousness and mercy. He's mad at God because God is too nice.

In a few verses we will be upset at the lack of resolution to the story, but even that reminds me of Jesus parable! I have to wonder if Jesus didn't have Jonah in mind when He told that story 750 years later.

Jonah has become a type of Israel (and now I would say the Church). His character has played the part of a people who have been blessed and then become satisfied (read: fat and happy) and therefore quit listening to God. Jonah, like Israel, realizes he can pay his own fare, yet it is a downward passage he is buying. Finally, God sends a fish - not necessarily as judgment, but as salvation. So Jonah obeys but is indignant that God's grace would be seen outside the boundaries Jonah decided God would work in.

This reminds me of the modern day American church. We are fat and happy. We have reached a point where we can pay our own fare, but it is a journey downward. Not to get to weird, but I wonder if the current economic crisis won't become the big fish that at first seems like judgment, but in reality is our deliverance - from ourselves. I just hope we can repent and complete the circle without becoming bitter like Jonah.

In today's verses, Jonah admits that he ran to Tarshish so that God would destroy Nineveh (v. 2). Would I really run toward easy street knowing that others would suffer because of my self-centeredness? I hope I wouldn't do that...but I know I do it in small ways every day. I'm not careful with my money. I'm not mindful of my words. I'm interested in easy, not holy.

God forgive me.

Under the Mercy,
Jason

Ecclesiastes 12 - The End

Today we read the last chapter in Ecclesiastes. It has been a depressing journey through the thoughts of the wisest, wealthiest, most powerful man of his day. The more I read this book, the more I realize how blessed I am that I am not wise, wealthy or powerful! Maybe there is joy in simplicity. Maybe there is joy in vulnerability. Maybe there is joy in doing life one day at a time, in the present, being fully present with God and those around you.

The last verse of the book says,

"For God will bring every deed into judgment,

including every hidden thing,

whether it is good or evil."

I have been reflecting a lot lately on judgment. I have come to realize how much (and often) I judge people and their actions. I have also realized that I rarely listen to the whole story. I rarely hear the complexity of the situation. Too often, I only see the rules and regulations I put in place (my religious system) and then I give myself power by using that system to judge.

What if judgment was less about God telling you how good or bad you are and more about God helping you discover how loved you are by Him? What if judgment is more about helping you see how the rules you constructed limited your ability to love others unconditionally? What if judgment is more about God helping you rid yourself of pain, grudges, bitterness, and lack of love? What if judgment ends up being a good thing - cathartic?

I think this boils down to how much we really trust God and His goodness and love. Do we really think (and then live out this thought daily) that God is good and is working toward our goodness? Can I live out this kind of goodness in the context of my relationships? Maybe judgment is more about me discovering love than about me being punished...

If life is truly meaningless, then there is no reason for judgment. If judgment is about bringing meaning to my life by helping me love, then bring it on! Show me how to love...how to be more fully present...how to live in Christ and Christ in me...how to listen to His voice each moment as I see how dearly fond God is of me and all those around me.

Maybe that is true meaning in life. I'm willing to find out...

Under the Mercy,
Jason