Direction Changed, Mind Not - Martin Wiles

But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry. Jonah 4:1 NLT

“A person convinced against their will is of the same opinion still.” A perfect example of direction changed, mind not.

And Ron was. He was a charter church member and had seen many preachers come and go. This new one had come in like a whirlwind and changed everything. He made the church do things they’d never done before and in unfamiliar ways. Quite a few members had left. No new preacher was going to run him off, though. He reluctantly followed most of the changes, despite his heart not being in it. And he took every opportunity to create discord along the way.

Jonah wasn’t much different than Ron. God told him to go in a direction he had no interest in. Nineveh was full of wickedness and enemies. Why should he want God to pardon them? Unlike Ron, he didn’t hang around. He took a boat going in the opposite direction.

But God showed up as a big fish that swallowed Jonah whole. Amongst the seaweed and undigested marine life, Jonah decided to change directions. Shriveled and smelly, he strolled into the city and yelled, “Repent.” They did, but Jonah rewarded God’s grace with anger. He changed directions, but his heart didn’t.

Peer pressure, guilt, regret, and ulterior motives can all convince us to change directions. After all, if everyone else is doing it, maybe we should also. If we’ve wronged someone in the past, perhaps we should help them before it’s too late. And maybe the change is worth it if we can see our name in lights. Ron and Jonah were convinced to go in the right direction but for the wrong reason.

I’ve gone in the right direction for the wrong reason myself. When I do, there’s always a battle inside my heart, along with dissatisfaction. The only cure is to go in the right direction for the right reason. And the only way we can do this is through repentance and heartfelt sorrow for our actions or attitude. Then we can accept what God sends our way or calls us to do with the right spirit.

God’s way is always best; we simply have to believe it. And hopefully, it won’t require a stint in a whale’s belly.

How can you sync your heart with the direction you’re traveling?

Father, as we travel the way You’re leading us, help us to go with a willing heart and for the right reasons. 

Tweetable: Is your mind traveling in the same direction as you? 

   

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