God gives Jonah a second chance, and this time Jonah does what God asks. It’s a long journey from the sea to Nineveh, about 900 miles. But, despite making a long outward journey it seems that in Jonah’s internal journey he’s only prepared to go so far before he draws the line.

Read: Jonah 3: 4-5 and 10

• Even in the worst places and people God is often at work behind the scenes…and He often uses us to give people a gentle prod in the right direction.
• God doesn’t give up on us…even if we’re stubborn and disobedient – and that applies to Jonah and to the Ninevites
• God may forgive us and doesn’t give up on us, but the memories and the scars of what we were often remain. The question is, do we learn from them
• Thomas Merton said, “The only mistake that remains a mistake is one from which you do not learn”
• God cares about our communities…the Gospel is about more than getting a few individuals into heaven…it’s about bringing the life of heaven to earth. “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”
• No place or person is beyond hope…past reputation should not be a barrier to our seeing God’s possibilities now.
• We also need to learn that sometimes my ‘enemy’, the person I struggle with, can be more open to God’s grace than I am.
• Being a follower of Jesus is about working in partnership with God. The Bible is full of stories about a God who loves to be in a relationship and to work with people to make things happen.
• Do we all have more of a significant part in working with God to see his plans realised in the world than we previously imagined, whatever some theologians may say?

Is there someone you’ve written off as being so anti-God that they are just not interested in him? Pray for an opportunity to be like Jesus to them, showing hope, grace and compassion. And pray that God will give you the right words to say if you’re given opportunity to speak for him.

Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to the places God is at work in your community…you may find him in unexpected places (and maybe not in the places you expected him to be!). If appropriate, look for ways to join in with what you see.