relating to Jonah

My pastor had a sermon yesterday tailor made for Steve and I. It was about the story of Jonah. Jonah was running from God's direction. God called him to go to Niniveh. But Jonah didn't want to go. So he got on a boat and headed the opposite direction. But God created a storm and forced Jonah overboard to be swallowed by a giant fish. It was in that belly of the fish that Jonah agreed to go to Niniveh and do what God had asked of him. Then he goes to Niniveh, preaches the gospel in expectation these people that he hated would ignore him and be destroyed by God. But they listened and repented of their evil ways. Jonah was mad and wanted to die.

You see: There are two parts to the story.
1. Running from God.
Like Jonah, I was running from what God has asked us to do in India. I didn't mean to. But
Satan has a way of weaseling his way in and whispering lies to you. So I allowed myself to
get side tracked with baby Anthony. I was convinced that was the direction we should go
instead of India. But the boat was rocking terribly and I didn't realize it was God trying to
get my attention.
2. Doing the bare minimum for God.
Like Jonah, Steve was trying to get away w/ the bare minimum for God. He was ready to go
to India, but his heart wasn't in the right place. He wanted to go and work. Over the course
of the past few months, his motivation for going to India has shifted from God to work. And
that's not where God would have him to be either.

So you see, we are both relating to Jonah right now. And I am now mourning the loss of Anthony. I can see clearly now that isn't what God would have for us right now. I can see Satan used that as a distraction from what God wants for us. I don't know what the future holds. I don't know if our home will sell or if we're going to India right away. But I do know I want God to be in control. I want His plans and not my own.

So we're back on track. We have our heads screwed on straight and are motivated once again. Thanks for you prayers. Keep them coming! It's amazing to look back and see just how quickly one can get lost on this Christian path.