Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture:

(Jonah 1:1-10)

"Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence
of the Lord" (Jonah 1:1)

Reflection:

The book of Jonah is a story that we have all learned
as a child. I love this story, not because Jonah was
swallowed by a big fish, but because I could identify
with Jonah often during my life. You see Jonah was
a prophet who rejected God's call to deliver His word
to the people of Nineveh. He ran away from God rather
than do what God had chosen him to do. Jonah was
angry at God! Boy can I ever identify with this account.
I have often been Jonah! How about you? There have
been many times in my life that I knew exactly what
God wanted me to do and I turned my back on God,
because simply I didn't want to do it. I would run from
God, and try to avoid His presence. I would react to
God with anger and actually reject Him. For example,
when I first felt the calling to be a minister, I rejected
that call. I was highly successful in my chosen field
at the time, there was no way I was going to preach
to bunch of Sunday want to bee's. I turned my back on
God, I was angry, and very unhappy. I began to
realize my unhappiness and finally accepted God's
call to relieve that unhappiness in my life. Boy did
my life change. If you want a change in your life,
if you want to be happy in your life, may I suggest
that you quit running from God and turn your anger
into happiness. Accept God's calling for your life,
this could be the time right now to change your life.
Quit running and turn your life over to God right now,
trust Him especially when it is difficult to understand
His ways. Let Jesus Christ into your life, and make
the change!

Prayer:

Dear Jesus I realize that sometimes it's hard for me
to put my trust in You, especially when I don't understand.
But help me to fight the urge to run from You, and give me
the strength and wisdom to reach out and take Your hand.
THANK YOU GOD FOR BEING GOD!

Quote for the Day:

St. Claire of Assisi
Spiritual Teacher and Guide, Political and Religious Peacemaker
(1193-1223)

"Go forth in peace, for you have followed the good road. Go forth
without fear, for He that created you has sanctified you, has
always protected you, and loves you as a mother."