ELOGOS for Monday

​Jonah 3:1-2
The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying, “Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you.” 
* * * * * *
To be more descriptive, this verse might read: "While covered in whale spit from the first time, Jonah heard the word of the Lord a second time...." The authenticity of a true call from God is more often measured in how ferociously one pushes it away the first time. In the last few months, I have been honored to witness the discernment of a person's call to a new position of service in the Church. Rarely have I had such a front-row seat to such a full-contact Jacobian wrestling match drenched with buckets of whale spit. God did not give up. The person has the best and the most unique combination of gifts for the tasks involved along with one essential element: this person would need every day to trust God to turn fear into joy, walls into windows flung open to beauty, gratitude into love and creativity. This week this person is turning her sights toward her Ninevah even covered in whale spit and wonder at the God who does not give up on any of us. 
* * * * * *
Bless those, O Lord, who serve you in a variety of callings. Amen.