THIS WAY, LORD?

I have some wonderful videos of "The Boys" when they were young.

I can vividly remember the summer when we bought our first video camera. It was a JVC – and it was bigger than a small dog! (For the record – it’s a good thing when technology makes things smaller and cheaper…just sayin’)

It was the Summer of 1987.

Son #1 was 4 ½ years old – and already, quite a ham. (He takes after his father that way – his mother is a demure little thing…)

We were crazy video "addicts" – hooked on capturing "every" moment on camera. We spent hours taping – and it was fun! (Not to mention the sheer joy of having these "memories" recorded for posterity…and "son blackmail," if the need arises…)

The boys’ dad was never on camera. He was a disembodied voice, the director behind the scenes – with an occasional hand appearing onscreen, motioning for the "actors" to perform.

Do any of you remember Soupy Sales – and White Fang? The guy who you never saw EXCEPT for his big paw appearing? Dad was like that…just a giant hand.

So, one summer afternoon we’re outside relaxing, enjoying the sun. Until, Otto Preminger and Mr. JVC make an appearance.

SHOWTIME!

In this one video, Son #1 is onscreen. His dad is trying to get him to do something, to film a little action sequence. The dialogue goes a little like this:

"B, do something."

"Like what?"

"Like run around."

"Where?"

Big "White Fang" hand appears –

"Like run over there to the tree."

Hand points in one direction.

"Over there, Dad?"

Little hand pointing in the same direction that "Dad hand" did.

"Yes, over there."

More pointing.

"OK."

And then, Son #1 runs in precisely the OPPOSITE direction!!

We still laugh at this today. Son #1 is a kind-hearted soul, yes – but underneath that mild exterior, he has a mind of his own!

My women’s Bible Study group is studying the book of Jonah.

And this whole little family scenario just reminded me so much of the beginning of the book of Jonah.

Settled in to his routine, prophet life – Jonah was comfortable. Then God made an appearance – and told Jonah to "go over there" to Nineveh.

"Over there, Lord?"

"Yes, Jonah."

And Jonah promptly ran in exactly the opposite direction.

He ran as fast and as far away from God as he could get. Jonah had a mind of his own.

But his life didn’t belong to him – and he soon found that out.

One little ocean journey, one stormy sea, one big fish later – Jonah returned to where he started in the first place.

At least the same location.

For Jonah was deeply changed in his heart.

How many times have I been guilty of hearing God tell me to go "this way" – just to run in exactly the opposite direction?

Sometimes I’ve even been so reticent to do His will that I go looking for a fish belly to escape in.

"This way, Lord? Really???"

But here’s the miracle of grace. God gave Jonah a second chance.

"Then the LORD spoke to Jonah a second time…" (Jonah 3:1)

When you know God wants you to do something, don’t run.

Arise and go – and go in the direction His hand points!

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"