God gave a message to Jonah. He was told to go to Ninevah and announce judgement to the people for their wicked ways. But Jonah ran from God.
He got on a ship and headed to Tarshish hoping to get away. But God sent a violent storm. The sailors feared for their lives and woke up Jonah as he lay sleeping in the hold.
They shouted, “Pray to your god. Maybe he can deliver us from this raging storm.”Jonah told them that he was a Hebrew and that he worshiped the Lord God. Jonah convinced them that the storm was his fault. That they should throw him into the sea and it would become calm again.
The sailors fought hard to withstand the storm but it was too violet. They cried out to Jonah’s god and asked that they would not be held responsible for Jonah’s death. Then they hurled Jonah into the sea. The storm stopped immediately.
Jonah 1:16 “The sailors were awestruck by the Lord’s great power and offered him a sacrifice and vowed to serve him.”
God intended for Jonah to deliver a message to the people of Ninevah who were far from God. But that wasn’t Jonah’s sole purpose. God used him along the way. God used Jonah to reach a group of men as they witnessed God’s divine power on display.
In the past I used to get so hung up on one question. “God, what is my life purpose?”
The answer is this. We aren’t here for one specific moment or one specific ministry or even one specific place.
It’s not only in those certain specific moments that we are doing the will of our Father. It’s in the daily ways we glorify His name and live it out.
We are here day in and day out to bring to God. We do that by pleasing Him. Serving Him. Telling others about His great mercy and love.
We do that by rising in the morning and saying, “Here I am today God. What is your will for me today? How can I serve you today?”
I used to have a prayer that sought out my life purpose. Now I have a prayer that seeks my today’s purpose.
If God has some great ministry for you, He’ll let you know. If God is moving you into missions, He’ll let you know.
But seek Him for who he is. The Great I AM. The creator of the heavens and earth. The Alpha and Omega.
Seek Him for today. Seek Him for who He is. Not for the answers you desire. Seek Him simply to be with Him. Then He will give you every answer you need at the time it’s needed.
In what ways do you think God wants to use you today? It may not be what you were thinking.
Love and blessings!
Melanie
Angela says
Beautifully written, Mel. “But seek him for who he is. The Great I Am.” Love this! He is enough. Thank you for this reminder.
Melanie says
Thank you. So glad you’re visiting the blog!
Alfred Still Sr. says
Thank you so much Melanie. I too find so much fulfillment in living in the purpose of being the HOLY PRESENCE that is intended for us to be in order that “not my will but thine be done on earth as it is in heaven” .