(CS4U) A Life Interrrupted - a study on applying change like Jonah - day 1

I had hoped to be able to scan this into my computer but that has not happened yet, so you will just have to be satisfied with me retyping the daily devos over the NExt 7 weeeks. I am slow with typing.                                      Day 1 -                                 I Am Jonah   The word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai saying. Jonah 1:1   I am Jonah I want to serve God ..... As long as it is convenient. I desire to do His will....... Until it is a tad uncomfortable. I want to hear His Word..... As long as its message is one I'm supposed to pass on to someone else. I don't want to have my plans interrupted. Oh, yes, I am Jonah and I suspect in one way or another, you are too.   The story of Jonah has been too outlandished and extravagant for many people to believe as truth. They can't wrap their minds around the storm, the big fish, the city's revival, the sun, the east wind and the plant that all play a role in this compelling narrative. Yet with all the unique qualities, I am drawn to the  prophet for 1 critical reason: Jonah is the only prophet who ever ran  from God. I can relate to that. When my life plans have been interrupted, I've wanted to rebel against it.   Have your life plans ever been interrupted? ____yes      _____no    _____unsure   Have you ever run from God? ____yes    ___no    ____not sure Write your thoughts.   If you have answered yes to either of these questions, Jonah's story is your story.   I Hate to be Interrupted! ( OK, say it with me this time....)   I Hate To Be Interrupted...   Do you know the feeling of disgust and overwhelming frustration that washes over you when you are derailed from off your chosen course for the day? We planned one thing for our lives, and yet our current situation looks nothing like what we had in mind. Someone tampered with our ambitions , goals, and dreams. The yellow brick road of our lives veered off in some unexpected direction.   What are some of your dreams and goals that you've yet to see become a reality?   How has life tampered with those goals?   Some changes we are delighted with. Others disappoint us and leave us buried in questions.Without a firm belief in the goodness and the care of God, we can spend years mad at ourselves, mad at others, or even mad at Him because we didn't get to accomplish what we originally set out to do.   In the margin list three adjectives that describe how you feel about interruptions you've faced in your life plans.     Often we equate the term interruption with upheaval, derailing, and frustration. Who wouldn't try to avoid those? Yet a closer look reveals an issue of value. When we deem our current task as an essential priority, we'll look with contempt on anything that threatens our time focused on it. Why? We have given priority and credited value to the current task, person, or goal.   We learn about Jonah's priorities in 2 Kings 14:25, the only other time he is mentioned in the O.T.   According to 2 Kings 14:25, what was Jonah's job?   Was he successful at his job?   As a prophet to the northern Kingdom of Isreal, Jonah's priorities would have included: 1) hearing from God. 2) declaring God's messages to His people. 3) being identified as a true prophet of God.   I believe God and His will held prominent importance to Jonah.He loved His people and wanted to see them rise in power and influence. It seems that Jonah likely enjoyed success because what he prophesied was happening.   From your personal goals you wrote, would you say you gave highest importance to God and His will ?   During the reign of King Jeroboam II, the nation's territories that had been taken by Syria were were restored. While we know little of Jonah's life prior to the event in the chapters we're studying, we do know he had foretold these good things for his people. As a result he most likely was popular, highly respected, and appreciated. In addition, he probably enjoyed financial security.   Read Jonah 1:3 What might this verse tell about Jonahs financial security?   Jonah lived in a time of national economic prosperity. Isreal regained lost territories and achieved it controlled important trade routes through  Palestine That connected the ancient world. In fact, some rabbinic commentators think the Hebrew text chartered the entire ship,  cargo, and all. If so, he must have had adequate financial means.   According to Jonah 1:1 , Jonah's interruption began when "The word of the Lord came" to him. His priorities and life of comfort were disrupted with directives that would put him in an entirely new and different direction than that which he was currently enjoying.   What do you think might have been some of the comforts Jonah had to leave behind in Isreal to follow God's instructions?   If your life is being interrupted right now in some way, what "comforts" are you having the most difficult time leaving behind to follow God's directives?   Changing Perspective I wish Jonah could have seen his life laid out in 4 simple chapters like we can. He would have seen that what he considered an interruption was reLLY AN invitation to participate in one of the most supernatural events in the Old Testament - one that would not only make a mark in the Old but the New Testament as well ( Luke 11:30 ). He couldn't have known that his story would be studied by millions desiring to draw closer to his God.         Yet Jonah probably felt about God's plans the same way and I often feel-- He was frustrated. The importance and priority we've placed on our plans cause us to frown on new assignments the Lord may send our way.   What others challenges might you face that will make it difficult for you to see life interruptions in a positive way?   Our study of Jonah is primarily about helping us to redefine interruption when it comes to our relationship to God. If He is our priority and His will is our primary purpose, then when the "word of the Lord" comes to us when He allows us to see His hand in our circumstances, we must see it as an eesteemed opportunity to participate in kingdom purposes. What more critical or essential ambition could there be?   So today, my friend, right at the onset of our study, we redine interruption. God"s plan is a "Divine Intervention".   Consider the following equation: Insignificant Person + Insignificant Task = Interruption Significant Person + significant Task = Divine Intervention Explain the meaning of the equation in your own words.   Interruptions only become positive when we consider the person or the circumstance interrupting to be more significantthan that which currently occupies our attention. It is easy to say that God and His plans are our most essential endeavors. It is entirely another thing to live like this is so.       While I love a good in-depth study with deep exploratory questions, I was continually drawn to ask you personal application questions while writing this study. When you turn the last page, you'll no doubt know more about Jonah"s story than You have before, but my primary goal in our time together is to help you dig deeply Into its application in your life. Many of the questions that I will ask you will focus on how Jonah's story relates to you.              Reworking our view of God and His plans, particularly this first week. To handle life's interruptions apprpriately, the prophet needed a fresh view of God, and over the course of the next few days of his life that is exactly what he was going to get. My prayer is that these seven weeks we spend together will do the same for you and me.               As we place God and His will in a position of significance, I pray that we will be delighted when we hear His voice or see His hand orchestrating our circumstances to align with His purposes.               Conclude today's lesson by listing in the margin your top three aspirations at this point in your life. It could be a goal that you had for your children, your career, finances, or something else. Then take time to meditate on whether you place more importance on them or on God and His purposes for you? Will you yield to Him if He requests that you do so?   If you find yourself balking at God's Instruction in your life, it is an indication of the importance you place on God and His will.

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