"The word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai : Arise, go to Nineveh, the great city, and cry against it, for its wickedness has come up to me. Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish, far from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Jaffa, and found a boat going to Tarshish. He paid the price of the transport and embarked to go with the passengers to Tarsis, far from the presence of the Lord." (Jonah 1: 1-3)

God asked the prophet Jeremiah not to be rebellious like his fellow citizens. The atmosphere of rebellion that exists in the world can push us to rebel ourselves too. We must resist the rebellion of this century and soften our hearts in the presence of God, otherwise we will follow the example of Jonah.

We must not take lightly the Lord's correction. This correction is often manifested by a sadness in the spirit that drives us to repentance. We may not be doing the right thing the first time, but we have to go through repentance to change deeply. Often, God will ask us to speak to this and that person. Our heart will sometimes shake, and several thoughts may try to stop us. We must not flee "far from the face of the Lord". Last week I was invited to a conference, and I was transporting several speakers who did not have a car. We were late for the meeting because we had to wait for someone, when 500 meters from the church a man wanted to cross. Nobody let him pass, so, although late, I stopped, to realize he was limping. I watched him cross and then continued my way, and my thoughts began to discuss together :

. Stop by the side of the road and pray for him !

. Yes but it's a bus corridor, you can not stop !

. I could stop a little further maybe...

. But you are late for the meeting and you carry speakers who will be even more delayed !

Finally, I continued on my way, and we arrived at the church. I was sad. Really sad. The presence of this man was not a coincidence, but I believe that God had placed him on my way. I failed. Never argue with disobedience.

Jeremy Sourdril