June 16

Jonah’s whole problem is that his heart wasn’t for people, especially the people of Nineveh. His disobedience to God sprung up out of his callousness for people or maybe just Gentiles. Wherever his lack of love was focused, it was evident. We read the story of this portion of his life in 5 minutes, but it was probably weeks in the making. Imagine the time that everything took and then imagine your repentant attitude after 2 ½ days in the stomach of a great fish! Yet it still didn’t change Jonah’s heart for people, just his heart for God.

My lesson today is that my love for PEOPLE will determine much about how my life proceeds and how I proceed in ministry. I am not talking about ministry as in pastoring, I am talking about ministry as in divine appointments and “sendings” from the Lord. It is obvious to me that God will cause trouble at times of great magnitude to get me to a repentant place of humility and obedience. In this case my love for people is being called out and I again have learned a key to life – have God’s heart toward people and your life will avoid the scenarios in which God will put you in to bring you to that place of love. God lives in me and he loves – if I surrender myself, I will love. If I don’t surrender, I will spend time in a fish of sorts. That in itself may not turn my heart toward people, but it will get me to listen and obey. Fortunately for me (us) God lives in me and has already given me love for people – it is already there!

Terry, love when it is hard to love with the great love of God in your heart.