Jonah 2

Why is it that so often we seek the Lord only when we're in distress? When things aren't going according to plan, that's when we pray and ask for God's help. It's a mentality that I need to work on. I need to practice seeking and finding God in every moment, good and bad. We learn the most when things don't go the way we want but there's always something to learn even when things seem to be doing alright.

Today I met up with my mentor and I praise God for being in the conversation. I learned about how biblical and God's authority relate to one another, and we had a great discussion about evangelism in today's cultural context. It's hard to walk through these books and theories alone, but God blessed me with an older sister whom I can learn from and walk together with. After talking about the different issues today, it challenges me to think about each of them and how to apply them to my own life... of course in such a way that it glorifies God and also helps me grow as His disciple. 

God is loving God. Whatever circumstances we may be in, He will answer our call for Him. It's not always in an explicit way but through the unusual and unexpected. 

Jonah 2:4

I said, 'I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.'

Do I look and think things through God-driven lenses? Not always, but I should. A perspective that incorporates love, care, wisdom, boldness, and challenge.

No matter how deep and dark things can become, we can be hopeful that any sliver of light can be enough to change things. 

My grandma isn't doing well. She has lived a long life but she does not know the Lord. I need to have the courage to ask my dad to share the Gospel with her. He himself is not a devoted follower but planting the seed may be enough for God to work in my grandma's heart. Knowing God for seconds and minutes can be enough to change her view of life in general. 

Jonah 7-9

"When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple. "Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs, But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. 

What a beautiful verse. Straightforward but encouraging. The grace that can be found in Jesus Christ may be a hard concept to grasp, but the eternal and wonderful life that one can receive later on can be a motivating factor to change our ways now. I need to let go of my hold of money and security, and let God be the king.

Jonah was saved by grace alone. He didn't deserve to live after having run away from God's calling for him. But God grants us life even when we don't deserve it. He is the sovereign king who loves us to no bounds.