Jonah 1:3 But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from the Lord by sailing to Tarshish.
You laugh, you shake your head, but really my Child, where is your Tarshish? Where do you try to escape to to avoid Me? What is the destination of the ticket you purchase when you want to avoid My commands? Television? Reading? Shopping? Surfing on the internet? In Jonah’s day, aside from reading, none of what you do to avoid Me existed. I visited him and told him to go to Ninevah. He did not want to so he tried to go in an opposite direction – went so far as to purchase a ticket and board a seagoing vessel to escape. That’s dedication above and beyond the things you can readily do to escape My direction. He had to physically board a boat and leave his town. That’s dedication. Yet, you know the story. I was on the boat with him. He dragged Me on a needless trip in the hopes that I would not follow. Well, as you know, I was with him. Just as I am with you watching TV, reading books, shopping, internet surfing…whatever it is you do to avoid Me and what I am asking of you, I am there. Do you really think I just go away? Also, do you think I enjoy what you are doing? Harmless activities in and of themselves become hurtful to you and your life when they are done to avoid what I seek, what I know would be best for you, what I know would help you and your life and your fellow man. Remember that old adage: just because you can does not mean you should. Focus on that: I am always with you. I am in whatever it is you are doing. So, is what you are doing pleasing to Me? Is it beneficial to My plans? Is it beneficial to your life? Perhaps if you always acknowledge that I am with you in everything you will choose more wisely what you do with your time. Think about it, Child. Pray about it. I will honor your request for help….or I will allow you to plunge onward without My help in this. You choose, as always.
Amanuensis 