Yesterday we asked ourselves, "have we ever run from God" and I suggested that all of us do that from time to time. We looked at some possible reasons Jonah ran, thinking He could outwit God. Today we want to look at some of the reasons we resist the call of God. Whether we are actively running or passively resisting, we are doing just what Jonah did.

I think that in many cases, we resist the call of God out of fear. In fact, the currency of our world is fear, while the coinage of the Kingdom is faith. I recall many conversations with people who shared their struggle with financial generosity with God. The fear is that they will not have enough if they tithe or are generous with God. And so they run by simply not being obedient to His promptings and teaching. I think Jonah was also fearful. The Ninevites were known to be violent, ruthless, barbaric people. I am sure Jonah had a tremendous amount of fear in his stomach as he tried to visualize what would happen to him if he went to that wicked city. Fear is a normal human emotion but always remember that while fear is the currency of our world, the coinage of the Kingdom is faith and trust in the one who calls us.

We can also resist the call of God out of lifestyle choices. Many years ago, when my father was church planting in the Chicago suburbs, he told his elders that God was calling him to medical school and missions. Some very successful business people were on that elder board; one of them founded one of the largest businesses in Chicagoland. They asked him, "Why would you throw away your life by going into missions?" Like God's call to Jonah, that decision didn't make sense. And from a human perspective, both parties were right, but from a divine perspective, they were wrong. What we sometimes don't see when God calls us to do something is the beauty of what He is calling us to. It may impact our lifestyle, but it never affects our happiness, and the latter is far more critical than the former.

Another reason we can resist God's call is our reputation or what others might think of us if we do what He has asked us to do. Think of Noah building a massive ark on dry land because God told him to do so. As a result, he was the world's laughingstock... until it started to rain.

As a church, we have taken a firm stand on God's call for racial reconciliation and being a church where all are welcome: Anyone and everyone. This is not always popular because our lives have become so immersed in politics rather than Biblical teaching. As well as our upbringing about who is welcome in a church and who is not. Swimming against the tide is not easy; the easy way out is to fit in and not rock the boat. Yet, when God calls us to do something, He asks us to come out on the water with him, even in the storm, as Peter did when he got out of the boat. The other eleven disciples figured getting out of the boat was inconvenient. Peter took the chance and experienced a life-changing lesson. 

I think the fourth reason we often resist God is that of convenience. God is all about bringing transformation to individuals, institutions, and communities. He is an active God, involved in our world, and He calls us to actively work to bring bits of His Kingdom here on earth. That means that our agenda is no longer simply what we desire but what He desires for us to be about. 

Saying yes to God and his calling on our lives and hearts is what it means to follow Jesus. As Paul told us in Romans 12:1-2, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will."

If God is calling you, prompting you, convicting you, encouraging you in any way, say yes in faith, knowing you can trust Him and