I knew I needed a more focused study time, I knew I enjoyed spending time with Lisa, and I was hopeful to meet many new sisters in Christ in this new land where we had recently moved. I suppose that is why I began attending. I have only attended one week so far, and imagine my surprise to realize how much I had overlooked in the story of Jonah. I am loving this study! The study is by Pricilla Shirer, and she immediately explains how “we’ve become so enamored by the big fish, we’ve lost sight of a big God.” So true. I am excited to share with you a little of what I have learned so far.
Pricilla refers to the story of Jonah as an example of a life interrupted. A life interrupted by God. God had plans for Jonah that were inconvenient and not at all what Jonah had envisioned for himself. I know for me, my life was interrupted when my doctor told us that I had cancer. It was interrupted again when we were told that the cancer had spread, and it was brutally interrupted when the doctor referred to me as terminal. How could this be? How could God allow this if He loved me so much? I had so many plans for my career, my family, my future. I thought these plans were good, that God was pleased with them. THIS is where the story of Jonah gets most interesting for me.
A life-threatening illness is most certainly an interruption in life. But what if this interruption is a privilege? What if this is our opportunity to be used by God in ways we could never fathom? He has chosen us to fulfill the mission He has planned, and I have not stopped smiling since hearing this lesson last Friday – God has chosen ME. He has entrusted me. With what? I don’t know yet, but if it is God’s plan, it will surely be grand! It isn’t only those of us who have an illness who are privileged and chosen. Our spouses and our children have also been chosen. Those closest to us have been chosen.
Your interruption might not be a life-threatening illness, but if your life has been interrupted, you have been chosen, too! But remember, with privilege comes responsibility. When we have been chosen we must step up to do what God has called us to do. We must make a special effort to listen to and to obey His instructions. We must not miss out on the miracles of Nineveh.
I am 17 and my life has been very interrupted and that last pragraph has helped me through today.
this is great! but the thing is that i dont know what God really wants me to do… i am so interrupted too with the things that i want to have in life… i have a lot of dreams and in fact! GOD showed me a lot of options to get those dreams but dont know what to choose,,, i am so confused… right now, am still praying that GOD will enlighten my ways and guide me as i walk through..
Its amazing how things happen the doctor told me he couldnt find any cancer that he found God is amazing he interupted my life lost my job my apartment but God has A certain task. I am willing to take a risk with God.