Who’s your Nineveh?

“Who’s your Nineveh?” This was the question that was asked of my last church a number of years back. Essentially, who is the person, or the people you’d rather not talk to? Who are the ones that if you could you’d ignore and pretend you didn’t see? If we are honest with ourselves, there are those that rub us the wrong way and who we find hard to love.

Jonah struggled with loving the Ninevites. And he hated the fact that God was going to save them. These were the enemies of Israel, God’s chosen people! Why should they be spared?! Why shouldn’t they be found guilty for what they’d done?

In the final chapter of the book, God makes a plant spring up overnight that gives shade to Jonah from the hot, desert sun. Jonah was extremely grateful for the plant. The next day it withered up and died, and Jonah was once again angry with God, angry enough to die. God confronts Jonah with his attitude saying that the plant is inconsequential compared to the many lives at stake in Nineveh.

All too often we put our own comfort and desires ahead of God, and what He is calling us to do. Jesus says we are to lay down our lives, pick up our crosses and follow Him no matter where He leads us. We are to love what He loves, hate what He hates, and bring glory to His name in all situations. He loves all He’s created, and therefore so should we. And our actions and attitudes should demonstrate this love.

On Sunday we’ll be finishing up our quick look at Jonah. Read it over a few times this week in order to prepare for our Gathering at 6 pm. And remember that we have prayer before the service starting at 4:30pm — all are welcome.

I hope that you all have a wonderful week, and that you experience the love, joy, and peace of knowing Jesus as your Lord and Saviour!