Oh my goodness, things are busy! Shopping, parties, parties, shopping, and sometimes a little church to remind us of the purpose behind the season. Don't think I'm pointing fingers, here, I am right there with you. Instead of just writing thoughts through these blogs, I've really tried to focus on lessons that I feel the Lord has laid on my heart to share and to learn for myself. So in this very hectic season, one has stuck with me for the past few weeks that I wanted to share.
The scripture is from Jonah chapter 1 verses 15-17. "Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm... But the Lord provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights." I love reading the story of Jonah because it reminds me that I am not alone in my shortcomings. I suppose I find solidarity with Jonah. God gives Jonah an assignment, which Jonah promptly ignores (in fact, runs the other direction), others have to pay for his mistake, he gets punished, quickly asks for mercy, then ends up doing the assignment anyway. It is just like me to do things the hardest way possible. And then Jonah turns around and scolds God for being God (having mercy on the Ninevites)! Oh my, sooo convicting.
The thing that I got out of this several weeks ago was one word, provided. Think about what that word means. According to Webster, there are three options: to make preparation to meet a need, to take precautionary measures, and to make a proviso or stipulation. All three apply, but the application of the primary is my intent. God PREPARED a whale for Jonah. We all pray for provision, but how many of us would consider three days in the belly of a leviathan provision from God? We (or maybe not you, but I) call on the Lord for so many things that I think must clearly be in his will, things that I want or need for me or for others. And so often I don't see answers. Could it be that he is providing, but I am not seeing it because it's not MY idea of provision?
Consider the second part of that definition, "to meet a need." Who's need was he meeting? Certainly he saved Jonah, but why? Because God had a job that needed to be done. Which brings me to the "proviso." God saved Jonah knowing that he needed Jonah to go to Ninevah. I can imagine God saying, "Sure, I'll save you, but you STILL have to go do the assignment I told you about!" Not only did God save Jonah with the massive provision, but he used it to change Jonah's heart, even if only temporarily. So sometimes what we may view as a lack of provision may actually be God's providing a change of heart to more clearly understand and see his will.
Provision comes in all kinds of packages, but the ultimate provision came from the birth of a child. And just like Jonah, God needs us and has an assignment for us. And just like Jonah, salviation comes with a stipulation, that you believe in the one true God and the ultimate atonement for our sin, his son Jesus Christ.
As you go through the Christmas season, remember that you have been provided for! It's not about what you get or even so much what you give. It's not about what you don't get, not the answered prayers or unanswered prayers. It's about what's been given to you from God, the Almighty Creator. The precious gift of a life eternal with Jesus Christ.
May you find comfort in a relationship with Christ like you have never known before, and a renewed sense of hope and peace in your own spiritual journey.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Patty
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