Call Waiting

How does it happen that people do something awful and get away with it? We want justice! Punishment! Vengeance! It’s a perennial question if there ever was one. The worldwide injustices and the moral dilemmas are not within the scope of daily life that have to be reckoned with. The challenges we face day to day often stem from within ourselves because we hold onto our clear idea of what is right and what is wrong, leaving no room for ambiguity. Let’s call this our ‘Jonah disorder’.

Even a prophet can be misguided. Jonah certainly got himself worked up that God didn’t fulfill His part of the ‘bargain.’ Sounds familiar. We make many prayerful petitions, asking for supernatural intervention. Still, as a people of faith, we rely on knowledgeable individuals, such as doctors, financial advisors, and travel agents, to help us achieve positive outcomes. However, what we expect and what we get will have its disappointments. Reactions follow, and we may not be at our best. A calmer approach is best for real communicating and here is the point that Jonah missed. Disgruntled with God for holding back what he presumes is a just punishment for the evil in Nineveh, Jonah secludes himself, sullen and discontented. Communication has ceased.

Perhaps when someone is upset with us, we could reach out and bring them some flowers, bake some cookies, or go to lunch. We haven’t written that person off. And here is God bringing a lovely shade plant for a disgruntled Jonah. We just never know how God will respond to petitions, but our petitions are much more than just asking. We can talk to God. The call waiting light is on. Pick up.

Prayer:

Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me. In you I seek refuge. In the shadow of your wings^* I seek refuge till harm passes by. I call to God Most High, to God who provides for me. (Psalm 57:1,3)