Are you staying dry out there?
I am writing this from the church office while sipping a hot cup of coffee and thinking warm thoughts. The rain has been steady all day but has really picked up in the last hour.
It almost makes you feel like Jonah, doesn’t it?
Speaking of Jonah (how’s that for a segue?), we are starting a brand new preaching series this Sunday. For the next four weeks, we will study the book of Jonah.
We will cover one chapter each week if you’d like to read along.
Who, Me? The Story Of A Reluctant Prophet
Jan. 14 Key Verse:
Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai, saying, “Go at once to Nineveh…
—Jonah 1:1-2a
Jan. 21 Key Verse:
Then Jonah prayed to his God from the belly of the fish.
—Jonah 2:1
Jan. 28 Key Verse:
This time Jonah obeyed the Lord’s command and went to Nineveh, a city so large that it took three days to see it all.
—Jonah 3:3
Feb. 4 Key Verse:
This change of plans greatly upset Jonah, and he became very angry. So he complained to the Lord about it: “Didn’t I say before I left home that you would do this, Lord? That is why I ran away to Tarshish!”
—Jonah 4:1-2a
The story of Jonah is one we probably know from children’s Sunday school. Yet I find it takes on much more meaning and importance as an adult. After all, he is the only prophet I know of who said NO to God and ran in the opposite direction!
Have you ever tried to run from God? Probably not as overtly as Jonah, but we have ways, don’t we?
Throughout this series, Dana and I will highlight stories of congregation members who have deeply invested themselves in specific volunteer ministries of this church. We will share one video a week in worship.
As you listen to these stories, you may become inspired to serve in a new way in 2024. I hope so!
There are times when we are like Jonah. God presents us with opportunities to work for God’s purposes and we think “Who, me?” Surely God will send someone else.
My hope is for Jonah’s story to encourage all of us to fully embrace God’s vision for our lives in 2024. We have a chance to say YES to God.
If you didn’t have a chance to fill out the Unity Gifts and Talents survey this past Sunday, please take five minutes to do so:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/unitygifts
This survey will help you identify your gifts and the ways they may match the church’s needs.
