are you following god?

Recently Kristi, Beth, and I participated in the 100 year celebration of the Blue Whale (on highway 66 in Catoosa).  It was a festive event and we enjoyed seeing this historical landmark.  As we went into the "belly" of the whale, and eventually re-emerged, I couldn't help but feel a little bit like Jonah.  The main difference being that we entered and exited willingly!  lol.  But the experience did make me stop and think about the Biblical character and to ask myself,  "Am I fully following God, or does God sometimes (like Jonah) have to get my attention?...

The story of Jonah is simple to follow.  God speaks to Jonah and asks him to go to Nineveh and preach to the citizens of the city.  Instead, Jonah boards a ship and sails in the opposite direction.  Soon, a storm arises at sea and it is determined that this is a result of God's anger at Jonah's disobedience.  In an attempt to save the ship and crew, Jonah is tossed overboard and, sure enough, the sea again becomes calm.  Jonah, however, is swallowed by a big fish within which he dwells for three days.  Finally, Jonah cries out to God, is delivered "from the belly of the whale, and proceeds to Nineveh to fulfill the mission God gave him.

There are many lessons one can derive from this story (and I've just shared parts of it).  But for me, there is one particular verse that stands out, (chapter 2 vs. 1):  "Then, from inside of the fish, Jonah prayed..."  My question is, "why did Jonah wait until he was in the belly of a whale until he payed!"  It seems to me that we all would be much better off if, when God speaks to us, we prayed about it in the first place!  Two key truths stand out to me:

First: Sometimes we fail to pray because we simply want to do what we want to do.
This, at least, is certainly true for me.  I confess, there are times when I know God wants my life to go in one direction, but I simply choose to run the other way.  I don't think I am unique in this; I believe this tendency is at the heart of our sinful nature.  While many examples could be shared, I will describe just one that I struggled with through 46 years of pastoral ministry:  Years ago I read, in one of John Stott's books, how early in his ministry he found value in taking a "retreat day" (he called it a Quite day) one day a month.  Stott shared how one day each month he would arrange for a day of solitude so he could: pray, read, write, meditate, and rest.  He shared how this monthly Quiet day literally "saved" his ministry by helping him to lower anxiety, aleviate stress, and draw closer to God. As I read this testimony I sensed immediately that God was calling me to make this a part of my spiritual discipline and ministry practice.  But I never really incorporated this discipline into my life with consistency.  I did come to schedule a few Quiet Days. I also come to realize that to the degree that I was able to practice this discipline, my ministry, mental health, and family life were all much stronger.  (Is it any surprise that when we follow God things in our life tend to be better?)  But most often I found excuses (too busy, too much work, too many demands) that kept me from making a monthly Quiet Day a priority.  I've often wondered how my ministry and family life would have been different had I fully followed God?

Second:  It is never too late to follow God:
For many of us, it is not until we are in the "belly of a whale" that we begin to pray.  But what I would say, is - better late than never.  The fact is, some people never repent; some people never cry out to God; some people never decide that now is the time to follow God.  But the Bible is full of examples of people who, in times of desperation, cry out to God and mercifully - God hears their prayers.  

The story of Jonah, for the most part, has a good ending.  At least Jonah fulfills God's call on his life and the result is that an entire city repents and seeks after God.  No matter where we are in life; no matter how far we have run from God; no matter to what degree we have failed to listen to God; when we finally decide to listen to and follow God, God can do wonderful things in our life.  So I would simply say, don't wait until you find yourself in the belly of a whale; make a conscious decision that however God leads you, you will strive to fully follow Him today!