Nineveh

I love reading (and hearing) narratives from the Old Testament.  I've been studying Jonah a bit lately and I could have never predicted how ready my heart was to wrestle with this story, how soft my mind was to receive conviction and how hungry my soul was to apply it.

I can't help but think about the concept of a modern day Nineveh.

It's the place we don't want to go; the people we'd rather not see; the time we don't want to spend with the things we'd rather not be.

It's the hard conversation and the uncomfortable situation; it's uncharted territory and unguaranteed circumstances. 

It's where scary statistics become real stories and faces; there's no promised welcome or reception... in fact, if anything, there's threat.

Then God says "GO".

We say "NO".

He won't know; He won't care; I won't go; I'm scared.
It's one time; I'm one person; It's one place, or just one nation.
What's the big deal?

What's the big deal?  Jonah brought a life-threatening storm upon a boat full of innocent men; then he was tossed overboard and swallowed by a large fish because he thought he could run from Nineveh!  Disobedience is costly.  God is concerned about every fiber of our being, every breath in every waking moment, every thought to cross our minds and every word to cross our lips.  He cares for the nations and for individuals, even the difficult and scary ones.  He is always hopeful, always faithful, always loving. 

I need more of Him and less of me.