Embarkation

Embarkation

Maiden voyages are universally exciting things. A dignitary, usually a female for good luck, will sometimes christen a ship with a bottle of champagne. Large crowds of well-wishers congregate to see off the passengers and crew, bestowing on them joy and the hope for their journey. The send off is a tacit admission of the danger inherent to such a trip. We understand the treacherous nature of the sea even if we’ve never tested it personally. Davy Jones’ Locker, being frigid and unyielding, teaches the most seasoned sailors to treat the sea with respect as she is also fitful and unforgiving. Which makes it such a wonderful metaphor for life. As Jonah was quick to find, our most carefully crafted plans can be so easily dashed upon the rock of God’s will. So that, even if your faith is fixed, your attitude can still be your undoing. Jonah asks us a pertinent question, is it possible only to follow God in part? Is He satisfied if we give Him most of our life? Will a majority of our heart suffice? Can God just be our biggest priority, or our only priority?

          Jonah gives us a clear answer to these questions. And therein lies much wisdom. We intellectually know the correct responses, but Jonah proves it is not sufficient only to know, one must also do. Knowing God’s sovereignty did not still the storm, knowing God’s supremacy did not save the ship, only by submitting to God’s will was all made right again. And it all began with a word, “Go”. “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” (Jonah 1:2) This was God’s instruction to Jonah. Very clear, very precise. Not a lot of room for misinterpretation or confusion. What follows is Jonah’s response, “But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish.” (Jonah 1:3a) For those of you keeping track at home, Tarshish is about 3000 miles in the absolute opposite direction and about as far as you can get away from where Jonah was told to go. The problem though, was not Jonah’s faith, it was his attitude. Jonah knew God’s direction, he understood the purpose, but he disagreed with the outcome. You see, Nineveh was not a Jewish city. It was Assyrian. And Jonah was not pleased with the notion of God’s mercy being granted to a godless people. Some food for thought as we move into the heightened drama of an election year. But Jonah, we must remember, was absolutely wrong.

“Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up.” (Jonah 1:4) Punishment was as swift and unambiguous as the command. But Jonah was asleep below deck when the storm hit. “All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship.” (Jonah 1:5) Jonah had gone directly against what God had asked him to do. And not only were the people of the great city of Nineveh suffering, they were still ignorant and godless, but also the people on the ship were in terror as well. The ripple effect of one man’s disobedience affecting so many other tenuously connected people should be humbling. It is the easiest thing in the world to say to yourself that your actions do not matter. That as just one person, it is impossible to have all that great of an effect. But Jonah proves that we do not act in isolation, no matter how sequestered we’ve made ourselves to be. If we are going to do God’s work, it will involve other people. So it stands to reason that if we refuse to do such work, then other people will also be affected. 

There is an economic theory called opportunity cost which represents the relationship between scarcity and choice. Time is our most precious resource, not reputation, money, or possessions. Time is an inarguably scarce resource (which is what makes it so valuable.) and if we choose to spend it foolishly (heading to Tarshish for example), then it robs us of using it wisely. There is a half-thought running through the culture today that springs from the egocentric mindset that seems so popular. That whatever we do extends to us and no further. But the ‘you do you’ mentality (and its unspoken and far more important rejoinder ‘and just let me do me’) is nothing more than a self pleasing lie. Jonah is the embodiment of how purposely ignoring God’s command is disastrous for an unknowable number and group of people. We discussed the importance of ‘gate-keeping’ your boat. Certainly make sure that no one on board is liable to bring a storm with them, but be sure as well that you’re not the one calling in the clouds. The sailors in Jonah’s boat should not have been as surprised as they were. When they finally roused him from his slumber to inquire after why the storms were raging (they surmised in their experience of the sea that this storm was unnaturally severe) Scripture had this addendum, “This terrified them and they asked, ‘What have you done?’ (They knew he was running away from the Lord, because he had already told them so.)” (Jonah 1:10) Pro-tip: Anyone who declares in advance they are running away from the Lord probably shouldn’t be on your ‘boat’! And if you find yourself surrounded with such people, it’s likely a good sign that you should be paddling in the opposite direction. Our time here is brief, don’t waste it moving away from God’s guidance.

Another brief note before closing. Even after being told the truth, the sailors still moved on, intently carrying Jonah further away from where he was called to be. “Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before.” (Jonah 1:13) You will not be able to out work, outsmart, out muscle, out think, or out maneuver God. If He desires something then it shall be. And so it was in this scenario. After attempting all within their knowledge and power, the sailors of the ship ran into God’s immovable will. Jonah knew what was required, “‘Pick me up and throw me into the sea,’ he replied, ‘and it will be calm. I know it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.’” (Jonah 1:12) Coming to grips with what was necessary they, with fear and trembling, finally cast Jonah into the roiling sea. At this the sea became calm again, the change was so dramatic and sudden that, “At this the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to Him.” (Jonah 1:16) 

Casting Jonah from the ship and into the sea was not the choice the sailors wanted to make. It was certainly not the outcome Jonah had wanted. But remember that God rested in the opposite direction from where they were headed. It would follow that to reverse course would require something undesirable. Reversing course is looked down on in our culture. Going backwards is reviled as…well…going backwards and is castigated as something to be avoided at all and any costs. But it is the proper step to take when confronted with the fact that we are headed in the wrong direction. Going backwards is necessary when heading toward a precipice or a danger. But we are too proud as a people to accept that there are consequences to our actions. Sometimes, going back is precisely what we need to do. If you are in the midst of a storm, reconsider who is in your boat, who isn’t, which direction you are headed and what toward. Sailors also know the importance of trusting navigation to fixed points. It’s too easy to get turned around when the storm swells and the waves hit. You cannot trust your instincts, you cannot follow your heart, you cannot rely on your gut. We are too small to effectively navigate all that we cannot comprehend. Sailors used the night sky to find their way home. We also have a guiding light, an eternally fixed point upon which we can absolutely rely. With all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength, with whatever time remains to you, with every impulse that drives you, look to the Word of God. Seek His purpose. Leave Tarshish behind. Plunge toward God’s calling, regardless of your preconception, your desired outcome, or prepared plans. Both the sailors on the ship and Jonah ultimately benefited the moment Jonah hit the water. “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ He said ’why did you doubt?’” (Matthew 14:30-31) (emphasis mine) There will be times we may fear the waves. But seeing the depth of the water allows us to know whether we are standing on the sand or the Stone. Jesus will always be there to raise us up and calm the storm. Do not let your faith waver in the wind, hold as fast to it as He holds on to you. Head into the darkness of Nineveh, and be the Lord’s shining light. The first word of Jonah’s instruction was “Go”. It is also the first word of the Great Commission. We have our instruction, we have our command, we have our purpose. What are you waiting for? Why else are you here?

Jordan Williamson