Back in December, I wrote a post, Facing YOUR Giants........, in which I told the Biblical story of David and Goliath...in my own words. I pointed out that David's bravery in facing his giant is an example for all of us to follow when we find ourselves face-to-face with our own giants...financial pressures, marriage struggles, health issues or anything that appears to be bigger and stronger than we.
Tonight...I wish to share another familiar, Bible story...Jonah and the Whale...in my own words. Although many of you may have heard this story as a child, Jonah's story teaches a life lesson about obedience, courage, accepting responsibility for one's actions, mercy and justice.
Let's go back...way back...all the way back to the Old Testament Book of Jonah. Jonah was a prophet who lived in Galilee, somewhere between 780 B.C and 760 B.C. At this time in history, Assyria was a powerful and evil nation...and Israel's fiercest enemy.
In the first chapter, we find Jonah chillin' out at his crib when he receives a message...FROM GOD...telling him to take a little trip to Nineveh (the capitol of Assyria)...to warn the people that God is ANGRY with them. God tells Jonah that the people of Nineveh are out of control...that they need a little help to get back in line...that He is running out of patience with them.
Immediately after receiving God's message, Jonah hops a boat for Tarshish...NOT Nineveh. (Jonah 1:3) Catching some ZZZZZZ's below deck, Jonah is unaware that the ship is being tossed around by a violent storm. Fearing for his life, the captain awakes Jonah and says, "How can you sleep, dude? Get up and call on your God. Maybe He will shut this storm off and let us live tonight."
Realizing that God was really, really furious with him, Jonah says, "Ummm...guys...this is probably a good time to tell you that...uh...well...you know this storm that is breaking your ship apart...yeah...that's my fault! I tried to run from God, but that is not such a good idea." Seeing that the waves were gaining strength, the men asked..."What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?" Jonah replies, "Since I'm the problem...if you throw me overboard, the storm will stop." So, they tossed him into the sea, and God sent a whale to rescue Jonah. (Jonah 1:17)
Hanging out in the belly of a whale for three days has a way of bringing things into perspective very quickly. From his seat on the whale's rib, Jonah offered up a sincere prayer to God. (Jonah 2) In the 5th verse, Jonah says..."The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head." Then, in verses 8 & 9 he adds, "Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the LORD." God hears Jonah's prayer and commands the whale to vomit Jonah onto dry land.
Okay...think for just a minute. Can you imagine what Jonah must have looked like after floating around in a whale's stomach for three days? I have a very specific picture in my mind, and it is not pretty. Let's continue...
As Jonah is standing on the shore of the sea, picking seaweed out of his ears and scraping decomposed fish guts off of his skin, God speaks again...telling Jonah to go to the city of Nineveh to proclaim God's message to the people. (Jonah 3) In less than a New York minute, Jonah ‘hits' the road to Nineveh to do as God commanded. The people of Nineveh received God's message and repented of their sins. Verse 10 says that "When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened." He let them off the hook.
In my introduction, I stated that this story is filled with lessons about obedience, courage, accepting responsibility for one's actions, mercy and justice. It is also a story about choices. God told Jonah to do something...to go to Nineveh, but Jonah chose to disobey God. When the storm threatened to destroy the ship to Tarshish, Jonah chose to admit that he was responsible and told the men to throw him overboard. It took a tremendous amount of courage to face the unknown, dark waters, but Jonah chose to face the consequences of his actions. Upon hearing Jonah's message from God, the people of Nineveh chose to turn from their wicked ways and repent. When God saw that their hearts were changed, He chose to forgive them and chose to spare them from destruction.
What percentage of your circumstances is a direct result of your choices...both good and bad? Perhaps, you are facing a difficult choice right now. How will your choice impact your life...your relationships...your business?
How can you apply the lessons of this story to your business? As REALTORS® and real estate professionals, we must choose daily to do the things that we know will produce results...even when we cannot see the fruit of our labor. We must listen to and follow the wisdom of those who have more knowledge and experience. We must accept responsibility for our own success or failure. We must be merciful to those in our industry who are struggling...lending a hand whenever we have the opportunity. We must stand for what is right and just...even when doing the right thing means forfeiting a sale.
There is an anonymous quote that is just such an appropriate ending to this post:
"There are always two choices...two paths to take. One is easy, and its only reward is that it is easy."
Choose wisely, my friend!
Written and Posted by:
Elizabeth Nieves - Broker, REALTOR® -- The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group @ Keller Williams (A Bilingual Real Estate Team serving Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill NC and surrounding areas.)
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