Friday / Out of the Boat
Read Jonah 1: 8-16 (NLT)
“Why has this awful storm come down on us?” they demanded. “Who are you? What is your line of work? What country are you from? What is your nationality?”
Jonah answered, “I am a Hebrew, and I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land.”
The sailors were terrified when they heard this, for he had already told them he was running away from the Lord. “Oh, why did you do it?” they groaned. And since the storm was getting worse all the time, they asked him, “What should we do to you to stop this storm?”
“Throw me into the sea,” Jonah said, “and it will become calm again. I know that this terrible storm is all my fault.”
Instead, the sailors rowed even harder to get the ship to the land. But the stormy sea was too violent for them, and they couldn’t make it. Then they cried out to the Lord, Jonah’s God. “O Lord,” they pleaded, “don’t make us die for this man’s sin. And don’t hold us responsible for his death. O Lord, you have sent this storm upon him for your own good reasons.”
Then the sailors picked Jonah up and threw him into the raging sea, and the storm stopped at once! The sailors were awestruck by the Lord’s great power, and they offered him a sacrifice and vowed to serve him.
Think
When I read the story of Jonah, I am always left wondering about the men left behind on the boat. They are just incidental characters, there to move Jonah’s story along. But I think those guys in the boat must have learned a valuable lesson. Here they were in the middle of the sea, storm raging and nowhere to turn. They discovered the source of their problems must be this stranger, Jonah. So, they did the only thing they could: they threw him overboard. Jonah didn’t even try to stop them; he knew it was the right thing to do, too. And it worked; the sea grew calm and the men in the boat were safe and free to go on their way.
I think there’s a lesson to be learned there. After that trip, those sailors were probably more careful about who they picked up in the future! In the same way, I should be very careful who or what I allow into my boat as well. Not all things are good for me. Not all people will be kind. I should be prepared to throw something overboard if it doesn’t prove useful, enlightening, and good for me. I have to be ready like the sailors who chose to throw Jonah out into the sea.
Pray
Dear God of the wind and waves, I know there are things in my boat that aren’t good for me. I know you’ve shown me how you want me to live and be in this world. But sometimes it’s so hard, Lord. Some things are so pretty and shiny, and I don’t want to give them up. Remind me that you know what’s best. Help me to be brave when you ask me to throw something into the sea and give me the strength that comes from your Presence. Amen.
Do
Time to do a relationship inventory. Find a quiet place and sit for a while, quietly inviting God to join you in the space. Take a look at the relationships in your life–Family members, friends, co-workers, acquaintances. How are you all doing? Are your relationships healthy? Is there a friend who you’ve neglected? How about a co-worker who could use some help?
Or you could go deeper—is there a family member you’ve got a grudge against? Is there a brother or a cousin or a sister you’re angry with? Perhaps you’ve felt God nudging you to take a step toward reconciliation.
Maybe the opposite is true—maybe you’ve got a friend who isn’t good for you, someone who you follow right into temptation, someone who brings out the worst in you. Is it time to cut the ties? Or maybe it’s just time to have an honest conversation and set some boundaries. Think about the men in the boat who threw Jonah into the waves. Pray and ask God for guidance and help, then act on the nudge God gives you.
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