Tarshish or Ninevah?

Since my senior year in high school I have felt a leading to go to seminary. I was successful in ignoring that call for more years than I care to admit, but even a stubborn guy like me might eventually give in...

Have you ever read the Old Testament book of Jonah? Jonah was a prophet to the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Israel's great enemy was Assyria, the country that would eventually overthrow their nation. God told Jonah to go preach to the great Assyrian city of Ninevah a message calling for their repentance. Jonah, being a proud Israelite, was incensed at the idea. He knew how this kind of thing often played out... preach to a group of people... they repent... God forgives them... But maybe God had forgotten that this was Ninevah. Those people were Assyrians. So Jonah decided that his best option would be to ignore God's direction. Instead of heading towards Ninevah, Jonah hopped on a boat to Tarshish. This is where most of us are familiar with the story. The boat is hit by a horrible storm. The people figure out that the storm is God's punishment on Jonah so they throw him overboard. Once in the water Jonah gets swallowed by a great fish. After three days (any significance to that specific time period you can think of?) the fish spits Jonah up on a beach alive. You know what God then told him? Go preach to the city of Ninevah. God didn't change His message at all, He was still fully on point.

If I admit it to myself, I can majorly relate to that Jonah guy. Maybe God doesn't realize that they're Assyrians. If He knew what I know then I am sure He would want to go in a different direction. I'll show Him the error of His ways by doing my own thing, then He'll learn. God is so lucky to have me to teach Him...

I had good reasons for not going to seminary many-ish years ago. I believed that someone getting ordained or too educated created a barrier between the person and the ordinary folks. My reasoning told me that education and ordination acted as a wall closing out opportunities for effective ministry. But oddly, despite my well-reasoned notions, God kept pointing to Ninevah.

I can happily tell you that I didn't have to get eaten by anything to finally heed His call. Not only that but He has also changed my perspective on the Ninevites. While my theories still make sense, things don't necessarily have to work out in those way. In my post on Monday I wrote about how all of us are called to be ministers, not just the pros. But that doesn't mean there is anything inherently wrong with there being pros. Some people are called to ministry and/or advanced study of Scripture or theology. God has given us intellects to use for His glory. We just need to make sure and keep our feet firmly planted on the ground. Whether I have a Master's degree, a Doctorate, or a GED, I am just a guy who is desperately in need of Jesus. Whether someone is a pastor, a priest, a bishop, or a janitor they are a person whose only hope lies in the promise of God's mercy and grace.

Has God given you any directions that you have ignored? Tarshish often looks inviting, welcoming, easier. And the thing is Tarshish may not even be that bad of a spot. But even if it is a good place, it isn't the best place if God is pointing towards Ninevah.