Wednesday of the 1st Week of Lent
Jon 3:1-10
Lk 11:29-32
“Go to Nineveh, the great city, and preach to them as I told you to.”
I once watched an advertisement on television that centred around a particularly obnoxious man. He picked on the weak, bullied and teased them, and was unkempt and unshaven. He drove a car, and chose to do so without regard for traffic rules.
One day though, this man dies and while trying to revive him, a bystander checks the man’s wallet for contact details and finds an organ donor card. The scene cuts to the man’s funeral, which then reveals all the people who benefitted from receiving his eyes and other viable organs. The man is celebrated and becomes a hero.
The first reading of today reminds me of such a story. After our Lord’s first encounter with Jonah and instructing him to go to the Ninevites, Jonah attempts to run away. In doing so, however, he ends up being swallowed by a whale for three days. Yet despite this transgression, our God gives him a second chance, and Jonah ends up saving the Ninevites, who choose to take his message to heart and to make reparations for their sins.
I wonder how many of us, like Jonah and the obnoxious man, feel God can use us. So often, we downplay ourselves and focus on how imperfect or normal we are. I know I used to think like that.
Years ago, my wife and I were asked to lead a small cell group. We mulled over it for a long time, and while we decided to do it, we continued to feel like imposters.
Over time, I have realised that it is never about who we are or how capable we are. Instead, I have learned that God empowers us for whatever He tasks us to do. All we need is to place our faith and trust in Him. Only then can we begin to walk in the ways of Jonah and possibly help others.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Paul Wee)
Prayer: Dear Lord, we pray that we understand and know what we need to be and do in order to trust and walk in Your ways.
Thanksgiving: We praise and thank You, Jesus, for making us perfect for what is called and required of us.
OXYGEN 
Paul – what a simple analogy you have shared that brings hope to us all. I especially appreciate and will ponder on, these words, “ Over time, I have realised that it is never about who we are or how capable we are. Instead, I have learned that God empowers us for whatever He tasks us to do. All we need is to place our faith and trust in Him. Only then can we begin to walk in the ways of Jonah and possibly help others.”.
I know this, of course, but it truly spoke to me this morning. Thank you
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