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Jonah

from Eric Corbin
"Jonah was a prophet, but he really never got it."  That is a line from a Veggie Tales song, from the movie Jonah (you can watch the song at https://youtu.be/2qLhAdA5ZXI?t=21s).  I love Veggie Tales.  They do a great job of telling the story of Jonah, including the oft-forgotten Chapter 4.  As our author reminds us, Jonah twice went on journeys he didn't want to take.  "He really never got it."

Haverkamp asks us "When have you been alone on a journey that you didn’t choose? What were the circumstances?"  The first thing which comes to mind for me is a solitary journey which didn't quite happen.  Three or four years ago, I was trapped in an elevator.  (The same happened to a parishioner at the church recently.)  Fortunately, I'm not claustrophobic, but I didn't especially enjoy that time of solitude -- just me, stuck in an elevator for forty-five minutes.  I suppose it would have been better if I had looked at it as a solitary journey of some sort, but I must admit I did not.  I much prefer walking a labyrinth or, even better, going for a hike in the woods.  I'm going to work on approaching those un-chosen moments of solitude as times for connection with God.  How about you?  Have you been stuck somewhere, or on an unintended journey somewhere?  Did it enable you to connect with God?

Comments

  1. pmyMarch 8, 2018 at 3:23 PM

    An interesting fact, Ninevah the place where Jonah eventually went is where Mosul is situated. It was a cultural capital in Mesopotamia (now Iraq). I often ask myself if God were to call me to preach to the people of Mosul today, what would my excuses be?

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  2. Kena JoMarch 8, 2018 at 8:23 PM

    I can understand Jonah's reluctance to go to a place he didn't want to go to. Because of my husband's career path, we have had to move a few times. The hardest one was leaving the Columbus, OH area for out in the middle-of-nowhere Kansas (Wichita). I had to leave a job I thoroughly enjoyed, move further away from the extended family and from friends, and deal with two small boys. I hated it and felt so isolated. No more job to anchor me; a hot, flat, dry landscape with a wind that never stopped (unless it was just before a tornado); new and strange places to deal with (yes it is strange in Kansas after living in the northern states most of my life), and people who were friendly on the surface but not overly welcoming. I saw the house Ken purchased for the first time in person when I flew into Wichita to sign the final papers and await the moving van. It was small and old with flowered wallpaper in every room as well in several closets. It even smelled musty and old! I sat on the bed in our motel room that night and cried. What had I allowed myself to be talked into? I felt so very, very alone and ill-equiped to deal with whatever might happen next.
    It took a long time for me adjust and feel a part of the community. We found a wonderful church - "the zoo church". Our younger soon would call it that because the congregation was fairly new and small, and had rented space in the education building that was part of the Sedgewick County Zoo. After Sunday school and church service, the four of us would eat a picnic lunch and then walk through the zoo. That began a time of healing for my soul. Being a small group, Ken, I and the boys were able to connect with some very caring people and we became very involved with the life of the church. I was able to take part in some very good conversations about faith, God and what it means to share the love of Christ with others.
    So, unlike Jonah I didn't run away - but I wanted to, especially at first! I also was not happy with God and let him know it. However, the experience taught me a few things and I did eventually have respect for out-in-the-middle-of-nowhere.
    And then, Ken moved us again, this time to Illinois and we have been here 15 1/2 years. I doubt that God is done with me yet though......

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    Replies
    1. AnonymousMarch 9, 2018 at 9:43 AM

      The Zoo Church -- I love it! Thanks for your reflections. We're glad you're here.

      Delete

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