On the Other Side Part 6 “On the Other Side…Of Where We Don’t Want to Go” Traditional Service Livestream

If you ask most people what they know about the story of Jonah in the Bible, chances are they’ll tell you it’s about a man who finds himself in the middle of the ocean and gets swallowed up by a large fish. But as you know there is so much more to the story.

Jonah is on the run. On the run from God, running away as fast as he can from his responsibilities, his mission, and his calling. Abraham Maslow coined the term “The Jonah Complex” to describe those who run away from the responsibilities and opportunities in life because the fear is too great. We all know people who run away from life. Truth is, sometimes we’re tempting to do the same thing.

If the last place you ever want to go is to a wicked city called Nineveh, then jump on a boat and go in the opposite direction as far and as fast as you can go. That’s what Jonah does. If you’re looking at a map it’s Tarshis. Jonah looked at where God was sending him (Nineveh) and decided he wanted no part of it. So, he ran away or at least tried to. There are places we never want to go, challenges we never want to face, problems we never want to have to deal with. But if God says, go there. That’s where we go. Because Jonah will tell you that you can’t outrun God no matter how hard you try. And if you go to Tarshish where it’s comfortable and easy, you might be safe, but you’ll be on your own.

What’s on the other side of where we don’t want to go?

Here’s a hint: The large fish that swallows up Jonah is only a small part of a bigger story.

Jonah soon finds himself swallowed up in a great and unexpected story of forgiveness, redemption, and repentance.

If he had turned right instead of left, if he had gone to Tarshish instead of Niniveh, he would have missed it.

Next time you feel like running away as far and as fast you can, boy do I have a story to tell you.