The story of how Jonah resisted the Lord's calling is legendary. But isn't it unfortunate that God had to go to such extreme measures to get His prophet to obey? Jonah did what we all try to do sometimes. We substitute our plan for God's. There are times when we know what the Lord has in mind, but resist anyway. Then whenever we pray, it seems He brings up the issue we've been trying to avoid. The pressure to act doesn't let up until we decide either to do what God asks or to quit praying. So, we proceed… but not according to His plan. Instead, we choose a course that fit our desires. Then, we try to drown out God's voice in a flurry of activity. Maybe we even get involved in some ministry, hoping He'll be satisfied. But, all that busyness and service from wrong motivation will bring only misery. Anything short of complete obedience is disobedience. If getting us to learn this principle requires being swallowed up by whale-sized trouble, God will allow it. The Lord is not interested in our convenience or comfort. He's focused on conforming His children to the image of Christ and using them to spread the Gospel throughout the world. Substituting our shortsighted plan for His is selfish. We must not resist God's perfect plan for our lives because we fear it will cost us wealth, time, or social status. Rejecting it will cause us to fall deeper into trouble and despair. But the moment we repent and commit to obey, we are freed from the self-imposed prison of disobedience. Following the Lord's plan for our life is the way to peace and joy. In Touch Ministry