Falling Off The Earth

As a child, one of the games I used to play with my brothers was Keep Away. Keep Away is a children's game in which two or more players pass a ball to each other, while a person in the middle attempts to steal it. Of course, Keep Away could be played with anything. I've played it with a ball, a television remote, or anything wanted by the one in the middle. For me, Keep Away was more fun if the person in the middle didn't want to play. There was an added feeling of joy and happiness when you're taller, faster, and in possession of something valuable to the poor victim.

Many years ago, I came to a major crossroads in my life. It was decision time and I didn't know which way to go. I had just graduated High School and was deciding on whether to join the military, head to college, or attend seminary. I was so scared about making the wrong decision, I spent the entire summer worried about what was going to happen next. Would I go to college? If I did, would I pick the right major? What about the military? Which branch would I choose? I didn't want to waste time, and I certainly didn't want to screw it up. It was during this time of paralyzing pressure that God spoke to me these words, "It's easier for you to fall off the Earth, than to fall out of my will.

Before hearing those words, I always thought that God's will was like a doggy treat that I only got if I deserved it. If I prayed enough, had good church attendance, read my Bible, or sat still long enough, then God would reward me. It's as if God was Jay Stewart and I was on "Let's Make a Deal". If Jay liked me, perhaps he would give me a wink or some-type of sign to tell me which curtain I should go for. No one wants to get zonked in life, and perhaps a little flirting before the show will get me something big. I spent the entire summer being on my BEST behavior. In reality, I became religious. I pictured Father God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit playing a game of Keep Away. If I wanted His will, I needed to work for it.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Psalms 23:1-3

So why do we think we need to "make" things happen, when the scripture clearly teaches that He is the shepherd, and we are just the dumb sheep? It is the shepherd, not the sheep, that know where the next pasture is. It is the shepherd that makes the herd sit down and rest. It is the shepherd that takes the herd from danger. It is the shepherd that causes them to be where they need to be. It doesn't say he only leads the sheep with the whitest wool. It doesn't say he leads them if they've been good that day and haven't caused too many problems. The Lord leads them because of one thing. Because HE is a shepherd. Shepherds don't play Keep Away. God doesn't withhold good from us. For a sheep that WANTS to remain in the herd, it would be easier to fall off the earth than fall out of the Shepherd's will.

So what about Jonah? What about the sheep that seem to fall out of their shepherd's will? What you have to understand is that Jonah was a prophet of God to Israel. You don't get to be God's prophet by being rebellious. Jonah wasn't running from God, Jonah was running from an assignment. There is a big difference between a single act of rebellion, and living a rebellious life. It was because Jonah was in God's herd that He went after him. Jonah knew exactly what he was doing. Jonah didn't accidentally take the wrong flight and end up in Tarshish. Even when we purposely flee from our Shepherd, He comes after us. Why? Because that's what shepherds do. For a Christian who is in God's hand, and WANTS to be there, there is nothing that will be able to take you out of it. Even in the heat of the moment, when you jump yourself.

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me. John 10:28

Jonah is known by us as the guy who ran from God. But Jonah was known by God, as HIS sheep that had gone astray. Yes, you have a free will, and God will never violate that. But He does have a Ways and Means Committee that will ensure you return to the herd, one way or the other. Jonah was NOT the rebellious prophet who didn't want God. You are never who you are right NOW, and you are not who you used to be. Right now, you are His. You are not what you've done. You are NOT the rebellious child who had an abortion, had a child out of marriage, robbed a bank, or stole a car. God knew Jonah's heart and He knew that the Jonah's heart still belonged to Him.

God knows your heart, and he knows who you are, even when others don't. If you are in His family, then you are His responsibility and He will be the perfecter of your faith. Don't let the devil, your in-laws, or your friends tell you otherwise. And don't worry about tomorrow, next week, or next year. Keep your eyes on the Shepherd. The sun will rise, gravity will remain, and you can't sneak past the Shepherd. He's just too good at it what He does.

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7

And let us run with endurance the race God HAS SET before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Hebrews 12:1-2