Susan LaffertyRunaway prophet. Jonah.
Flees something more than a hard assignment. And this catches my eye.
After the storm at sea. After the big fish swallows him whole. After his vow to obey this time.
Even after he proclaims God’s message. To the great city of Nineveh.
He’s still running. From the heart of the One who comes to seek and to save the lost.
Someone else’s surrender will not do. David knows this.
Thank you, Araunah, but “I will not offer to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” (2 Samuel 24:18-25)
He buys the threshing floor, the oxen. For a price. Then builds an altar and makes the offerings to God.
Each of us must consider the cost of following Christ. And someone else’s surrender will not do.
From a young age, I heard about Jesus and His love. Sang songs about Him. Listened as my parents read Bible stories. Our family prayed often. I was loved and cared for.
And yet.
And yet I was lost. Fearful. Felt the darkness. Something wasn’t right. And I knew it. “Do not lie” seemed to compel me toward that very thing. Lying.
