You may not be able to tell by my physique, but I am an expert level runner. I always have been. I don’t jog, I run full speed.
Let me explain. I run when things get hard or uncomfortable. I run when things look too good to be true. I run when I don’t understand. Often, I find myself hatching escape routes.
But recently, I was told to stop it. Stop running. To be honest, it caught me off guard and hit me deeply, but I now understand the antithesis of running is stopping or being still.
If you can relate to me in anyway, I am here to tell you it’s time to stop running.
Now let’s talk about the running prophet, Jonah.
The Word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: “Go to the great city of Ninevah and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.”
BUT Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish…
Jonah 1:1 – 3 NIV
What are you running from?
If you have been running, take a moment and identify it. Whatever it is take a deep breath and ask yourself why it is causing you to run from it. In the instance mentioned above, Jonah ran from the Lord. He clearly heard God speak on a matter and he did not agree with God so he decided to FLEE from God. Runners are interesting people. If you notice, Jonah did not utter a word before he ran. He did not try to have a conversation with God or find out more information. He did not argue.
His first and only inclination was to run.
People who encountered him would not know on appearance that he was in complete defiance to God, because his defiance manifested itself differently. But defiance is defiance.
Running affects others.
Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship.
BUT Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep.
Jonah 1: 4-5 NIV
Jonah was unaware that his running negatively affected those around him. It put lives at risk. The sailors experienced an unnecessary storm because Jonah chose to run instead of obey God. The sailors not only experienced violent storm and an immense amount of fear. They also lost their belongings. Yet, Jonah was below deck sleeping unaware of the havoc he was causing in other people’s lives.
May I pose that our running is negatively affecting those around us in ways we are unaware of?
We understand the negative consequences associated with a parent leaving their family or a person choosing not to pay their bills. Often, we fail to see how our choice to run from relationships, friendships, or God-given opportunities has the same effect on those around us. Inevitably, Jonah woke up from his slumber and took ownership for his actions.
Friends, we need to wake up.
“Pick me up and throw me into the sea,” he replied, “and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.”
Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before. Then they cried out to the Lord, “Please, Lord, do not let us die for taking this man’s life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, Lord, have done as you pleased.”
Jonah 1:12-14 NIV
Running hurts us.
Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
Jonah 1:17 NIV
Most of us are running because we are trying to avoid something. It is rooted in fear which is not of God. In the moment, we fail to realize that we cannot run forever.
Whatever it is, it will catch up to you.
As we used to say, “You can run, but you can’t hide.” You can’t outrun God and you can’t outrun yourself. Eventually, you will have to face both. When I read swallow, I heard in my spirit, “consume”. God PROVIDED a fish to CONSUME or overtake Jonah. The fish immobilized him. Once in the belly of the fish, Jonah had nowhere else to run. He had to face his sinfulness.
From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God.
Jonah 2:1 NIV
This is the first time we hear Jonah open his mouth and pray. We need to learn to pray first. Especially when we feel the need to get out of dodge. During Jonah’s prayer he repents for running from God and promises that he will say what God wanted him to say. Now let’s think about this for a moment. Jonah ran but God’s purpose did not change. He ran but in the end he still had to do what he did not want to do. He ran in a circle and found himself back at God’s original command. He just caused himself and others unnecessary torment and toil in the process.
“…What I have vowed I will make good.
Jonah 2:9 NIV
I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’”
Learn to stay in place.
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 NIV
Plants receive the nourishment they need because they stay rooted in place. You can’t be planted if you are always moving. Much like plants, we can trust that if we stay in proper placement, God will provide what we need. Stillness in the midst of whatever scares us shows God that we do in fact trust Him.
Love you,
Ayanna