As I review what I've written in this blog, I hesitate to hit the "publish" button - it's pretty blunt and I'd really don't want to bring it up, but here goes....

So far in the study of Jonah: Navigating a Life Interrupted, we've talked about what running from God looks like, being used by God even after we mess up, how God pursues us, and how He gives us second chances.

While this has all been good, are we missing (ignoring) the central theme of this whole study?

"So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh according 
to the word of the Lord." Jonah 3:3

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, 

baptizing them in the name of the 
Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit." Matthew 28:19

Even though the details of Jonah's message to the Ninevites differed from Matthew 28:19, the purpose of God is clearly the same - God said that we should GO to those who do not know Him personally as Lord and Savior of their lives. Are we obeying God? Are we using every chance we get to share the gospel of salvation to our friends, families, neighbors, coworkers, the person next to us in the Walmart line or on a plane?  I know my answer to that question is "no". How about you?

Our Bible study has specifically mentioned several times, that we as a group, consider a person or group of people, to reach out to with the gospel - that we take action to form relationships and put plans into place to share with others what the Lord has done. This week the writer says, "I hope you're already engaged in the process." That hit me because, in fact, I subconsciously breathe a sigh of relief when that topic isn't discussed.

So many opportunities missed. So many times I make excuses and choose to stay away from spiritual conversations because I'm embarrassed, I don't want to offend, I don't know what to say. Am I ready to change? Am I ready to purpose to include evangelism in my daily routine? How about you?

Evangelism is not something to do; 
it is a way to live.

I'm going to give you a heads-up right off the bat - my thoughts are totally random and flying in multiple directions today. . . wedding details can be very distracting to a mom of the bride :)

Week 4 of our study on Jonah, Navigating a Life Interrupted started with Priscilla Shirer asking us to turn to the person next to us and ask, "Have you ever felt squeezed? Are you feeling squeezed right now?" I believe I shouted out "YES!" right away before she finished with the following examples:

• Energy squeezed?
• Financially squeezed?
• Spiritually squeezed?
• Emotionally squeezed?
• Preparing for a wedding on the 4th of July squeezed? (Ok, I added that one myself.)

With each question, Priscilla picked up a slice of fruit and squeezed it over a drinking glass. She then proceeded by saying, "Only after we are squeezed can we be poured out to be a blessing to the Lord and others." 

Obviously, Jonah was squeezed when he was not immediately obedient to the Lord's purpose for his life. But, God gives second chances and doesn't place His people on the shelf, never to be used again, even when disloyal to His plan. God gave Jonah a second chance. He gives us second chances as well; and if necessary a 3rd, 4th, 5th - you get the picture. He doesn't give up on us to accomplish His will. 

Jonah 3:1 "Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time." 

I like dogs a lot (told you I was going to be very random today). I like our crazy-eyed, balding, old cocker spaniel, Lucy.  Maybe that's why I have always like the comparison of the Lord pursuing us as the "Hound of Heaven". I truly thought the phrase "Hound of Heaven" was in scripture, but I'm not finding it so now I have to admit I was wrong. Apparently, I've heard that term associated with a portion of scripture either in a Bible study or a sermon - maybe someday I'll run across it again but for now, I'll give you a little information I discovered about the term, Hound of Heaven. 

It is a poem written by English poet Francis Thompson. It's not entirely easy to understand (especially to my scattered mind right now), but I like the following description of the poem. This is how I remember feeling when I first heard that phrase, Hound of Heaven, describing how our Lord pursues us, never giving up:

"The name is strange. It startles one at first. It is so bold, so new, so fearless. It does not attract, rather the reverse. But when one reads the poem this strangeness disappears. The meaning is understood. As the hound follows the hare, never ceasing in its running, ever drawing nearer in the chase, with unhurrying and unperturbed pace, so does God follow the fleeing soul by His Divine grace. And though in sin or in human love, away from God it seeks to hide itself, Divine grace follows after, unwearyingly follows ever after, till the soul feels its pressure forcing it to turn to Him alone in that never ending pursuit."

(If you have time, google search the poem and read it.)

So, if we mess up, we don't have to become paralyzed by fear or guilt because we don't know what to do next. God will pursue us, never giving up, until we realize God has equipped us to do what we cannot do on our own. And after being squeezed out, we are able to be poured out for our Lord and those around us.