There Are No Buts
Jonah 1:1-3 (ESV) 1 Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.” 3 But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD…
Have you ever been told to do something, but refused to do it? It could be as simple as saying you did not want to do the task, or maybe you did not trust the person who asked. Perhaps you refused due to advice from others, influence from society, or “cultural norms.” Maybe it is due to personal stereotypes or a lack of confidence. Whatever the reason, there are moments we all have said “BUT” to avoid performing a task or fulfilling a purpose.
We all have heard one time or another someone say, God instructed me to do XYZ, “BUT I cannot” – what about my family, what about my job, I am not ready, I am not qualified, what will others think, and the list goes on. As in this Bible verse, Jonah was directed by Yahweh for a specific task. However, Jonah’s reply was, BUT – Nineveh does not deserve Your grace. Yahweh did not ask for Jonah’s opinion, but his obedience.
Matthew 9:9 (ESV) 9 As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.
Contrast this with Matthew’s response to Jesus as he was being instructed. There were no “Buts.” So, as you start your day, consider your own walk with Yahweh. Has He given you instruction, a purpose, or a vision? What has been your response? Are you called to do something out of the ordinary? Jonah was directed to leave his home and prophecy to people he did not care for, which is out of the ordinary. Matthew leaving a career to pursue a purpose with Christ may come across as unusual. The truth is, as Yahweh speaks, we must hear and obey. There are no “BUTs.”