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Running away

March 9, 2022

Jonah 3:1–10 | Luke 11:29–32 | Psalm 51:11–18

Scripture readings assigned for today focus on the story of Jonah. If you haven’t heard the story for a while, let me remind you…when the word of the Lord first came to Jonah, he responded quickly and decisively. He hurried down to the docks and purchased a one-way ticket on a boat headed for the other side of the world. Biblical scholars debate his motivation, but there is no doubt that Jonah was intent about fleeing from the presence of the Lord. 

But the Lord knew exactly where Jonah was heading, and a great storm was sent to buffet the boat. Jonah had confessed to the crew that he was fleeing from his God, so they tossed him overboard to save themselves and their ship. At this point in the story Jonah begins a dark night of the soul inside the belly of a giant fish. From the depths he prays:

“I called to the Lord out of my distress,
    and he answered me;
out of the belly of Sheol I cried,
    and you heard my voice.”

After three days and three nights the great fish deposits Jonah back on dry land.  Hearing the word of the Lord a second time, Jonah travels to Nineveh to deliver a message of impending destruction. Good news – the people of Nineveh repent and are saved. Bad news – Jonah is not happy with that outcome.

I empathize with Jonah’s desire to run away from God. As a young man, I was reluctant to listen when I knew that God was seeking me out.  My response was not as dramatic as Jonah’s – I didn’t try to book passage on a slow boat to Antarctica, but I did actively try to ignore that quiet voice. I was motivated by a fear that God would challenge me to perform some act that was beyond my ability – I was afraid that I would fail and be miserable. (Not unlike Jonah avoiding the trip to Nineveh?)  At about this same time I was fortunate enough to meet a very patient priest who was willing to spend time with me and serve as my spiritual advisor. I had not been raised in the church, so I knew very little about scripture or a life of faith. But I had heard these familiar words of Mathew Chapter 7:

 “Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 

During a weekend retreat I had a “metanoia moment” when I heard the second half of that text:

Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

As the father (at that time) of a one-year-old daughter I experienced a whole new perspective in an instant. I love my daughter and would do anything to keep her happy and safe from any harm. I understood in that moment that God loves me (and you) in the same way. The voice I was hearing was an invitation to a loving relationship, not a job interview or a stress test. I’ve been growing into that relationship ever since. And I’m grateful to be a part of a community where we can experience God’s love together. Thank you all. 

During this Lenten season may you listen for the voice of the Lord and not run away.

Paul Brookes