An Attitude Like Jonah's Part 2, is based on Jonah 1:11-16 (nkjv)

Often in life, choices we make as individuals have serious consequences that not only affect us but those around us. Jonah's decision to run from God was one of those times. Little did he realize when that ship set sail that his blind judgment would almost cost everyone on board their lives. In the midst of a horrible storm, God would teach this unfaithful servant how many people he was impacting by his unwillingness to cooperate.

As Jonah shared his story, all who were on board realized that he was the one responsible for the storm they now feared would bury them. Then the men asked Jonah what they should do with him that the sea might become peaceful again. The answer was quite shocking to the crew, "Pick me up, and throw me into the sea; then the sea will become calm for you. For I know that this great tempest is because of me", Jonah 1:12. At first, they could not bring themselves to throw him overboard for they feared that the results might be worse that the current situation, however, after they had exhausted themselves in one final effort to row to shore, they realized there was no alternative. Jonah must be thrown overboard.

In desperation, the men cried unto the Lord, "please do not let us perish for this man's life, and do not charge us with innocent blood; for You, O Lord, have done as it pleased You. So they picked up Jonah, and threw him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging.", Jonah 1:14,15. When the winds calmed, the men worshipped and praised God for sparing them. How much simpler it would have been if only Jonah had obeyed God the first time. Now, he not only had to go preach at Nineveh, he would be carrying the shame and guilt of almost costing innocent travelers their lives as a direct result of his stubbornness.

How merciful God is to us and those around us. In spite of all the times we travel our own way or do our own thing, the Lord often intervenes to keep us and others safe. However, there are times when He allows us to suffer the consequences of our actions that we may learn from our mistakes and teach those we interact with.