A Little Ditty

"Jonah got up and went to Nineveh according to the Lord's command, now Nineveh was an extremely great city, a three-day walk" Jonah 3:3

I found myself walking the long corridor as I spotted him coming toward me. I immediately dropped my gaze and shuffled my feet in hopes that maybe he wouldn't see me.

I traveled this passage way often over my years at Ridgecrest Baptist Church. It was not only our place of worship but also where Mama and Daddy performed their weekly jobs. We called it our 'home away from home' because we were there so much of the time.

Bro. Don (my children's pastor I mentioned earlier) had heard me singing in one of the empty classrooms one day, as I was passing the time away waiting on my parents to end their day of work. I was minding my own business, never meaning for anyone to hear me (I was shy like that.) He graciously (or sneakily) waited until I had finished and gave me a standing ovation to the meager efforts I performed to one of my favorite songs of that day. I turned all shades of red, quickly looking at the floor and quietly saying thank you as he went on his way.

I didn't think much of it, I found myself in this certain classroom belting away at the lyrics of this tune every chance I got. Soon Bro. Don began the questioning of me possibly singing the ditty in front of 'Children's Church', which was a bunch of 'little' people (of elementary age) that met in our gymnasium. I almost swallowed my tongue. I graciously said 'No thank you', but soon learned he would not take no for an answer.

Every time he saw me he would initiate the possibility of me singing for my peers. He didn't understand I couldn't speak in front of a small group of them, must less sing in front of a huge group of them. I was mortified at the thought of it. As soon as I would see him enter a room I would duck and run. I even caught myself turning around right in front of him before he had time to open his mouth with yet another suggestion of me baring my sole in front of others. I couldn't and I wouldn't but he would not, for the love of all that was good, give up.

Mama softly suggested that maybe I should just go ahead and do it and that way he wouldn't bother me about it anymore (if I didn't know any better; she was on his side.)

Jonah took a hard road and then a second command from God to finally go to Nineveh and warn the people of their actions. Jonah struggled with obedience and he ended up in the belly of a whale. He ran; he boarded a ship; he hide in the stern of that ship; and he even told the sailors to throw him overboard. He was willing to go to the depths of the sea to hide from God but he didn't know what the Lord had waiting for him in that water.

We must realize we cannot hide from God. As I have grown in my faith since being that little girl, I've learned to struggle less often with promptings of the Holy Spirit. I've learned that surrender is easier if I bend my knees, for faith comes in the surrender and power flows when I step out in obedience.

Just as Jonah surrendered to the call of God on his life, I too, must surrender my fears, anxieties, and insecurities, and walk in obedience. Remember, you can be used by God or God will use someone else (in your place) and they will reap the blessing of being a part of His work.

I love you & He loves you more!

P.S. I did it. I sang my song.

Lord, Thank You for the times You have used me in Your ministry work. Help me to be obedient when You call me and step out in faith, knowing You will meet me there. In Jesus' name. Amen.