For Such a Time as This II: Divine Selection

When your boss (work or home) asks (tells) you to do something unpleasant and you would rather pull out all of your nose hair with tweezers than do what they ask (tell), you may fall into the Jonah category.
Jonah was a prophet who was asked (told) by God to go to Ninevah and preach a simple message of repentance. Jonah, being a dutiful servant, jumped on a boat and headed toward the Caribbean Islands. While on the boat a huge storm arrived and threatened to tear the boat asunder. All the crew began throwing cargo over the side of the boat. Jonah did what any other sensible person would do in a time of crisis. Knowing that death may not be that far away, he went below deck and went to sleep.
The crew prayed to their gods and didn't receive a response. So, they cast lots and figured out it was Jonah's fault, so he needed to get right with his God. They managed to get Jonah up on the top deck and plead with him to make things right with God. He told them to toss him overboard and the storm will stop. Knowing that there was an all powerful God throwing a hurricane at them, and Jonah was a prophet, they (the crew) were a little hesitant to kill a prophet of God. But not too hesitant, for they asked for forgiveness and then launched Jonah overboard. There waiting for lunch was a giant fish and it swallowed Jonah.
Jonah was selected by God to preach to Ninevah. The storm was selected by God to keep Jonah on course. The fish was selected by God to preserve Jonah in the sea. God's selection process may stump us, but they are with reason. Let's look at another example:
Jesus was walking along the sea and saw a couple of fishermen. Jesus approached them and said, "Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men" They immediately followed Him. Jesus traveled a little further and came upon a couple more fishermen and said the same thing. And again, they immediately followed Him.
These fishermen didn't ask Jesus why they should follow him. They didn't ask how much they were going to make. They didn't ask when they would be back. They didn't ask Him to come back another day. And they didn't ask to send someone else. They were selected by Jesus for a reason. The reason was to be fishers of men, among other reasons.
Just like Jonah and the disciples you have been selected. For what reason you might ask? (And if you didn't ask, just pretend you did so you can keep reading) First there is the great commandment: Mark 16:15 He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." (NIV) Then there is the great commission Matthew 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (NIV) We are to preach, teach and reach others with the gospel.
When you are selected to do God's work are you going to be like Jonah and run, or are you going to be like the disciples and immediately do what God wants.

Have a blessed week
Daniel V