As we got in the theater several hundred other families came in and a couple of summer camp busses. Once we got robbed at the concession stand for $10 for a small drink and small popcorn and a micro bag of skittles. We rushed to get our seats. The seating was for about 150-200 maybe a little more, so we got our seats and waited for the in flow of people. In the half hour we waited it got maybe 60 more people. That meant that all the others including a Christian day camp went to see the other movie. Not a big shock to me. May be movie based on God’s love can not hold up against Garfield.
As we watched the movie there is one scene in particular that stood out to me. Jonah was setting at the end waiting for the destruction of the city that had just asked God to forgive their ways so God would spare them. Now the dialog is what got to me. Jonah said something to the effect of: “No, if God will forgive people like them then I wish I was back in the whale!” This just stated me thinking about our mindset and forgiveness.
We say we want to see people come into relationship with God and to do that they must ask to be forgiven and God is willing to forgive them whenever and wherever, but how do we really feel about it. I think of churches I have been in the past. Several times there were people that came to trust in God and it was almost like shock to some of the people around the church. They did not know how to react nor did they even really believe this person had made a “real” change. These are the same people that always pray for revival and salvations of the “lost.” The thing that happened was either this person would “fall away” or they would move to another church. When you feel unwanted you never stay in that place for long and sometimes newly changed people rather go back to their old friends because like Jonah everyone was waiting for you fail anyway.
I believe in the idea of self fulfilling prophesies is life. If you believe you are a loser that that is what you become, if others tell you are not smart and you believe them than you actions will follow. As anything there are exceptions to the rule but over all I think this is true. If this is true as a principle, then would this not apply to the church as well? Do we really expect people to change or are we doing what Jonah did? Jonah did his obligation in telling the Ninavites about Gods’ love but he had no expectations that God would forgive or that they could or would really change to follow God.
When we have an opportunity to tell the Good News of God’s Love do we expect it to change people? What happens in a church or your own life if God puts in to the path a drug dealer, spouse abuser, homosexual or someone that is “just one of those really lost people?” Can you expect God to really forgive them? Do you really believe that they can truly change? Or are we like Jonah even though he saw change, heard change and new that God was all powerful he still did not except peoples forgiven life. As we walk the path we are on remember to believe positively for people (what you sow you get, type of thing) and expect to see God change lives and not hold a heart like Jonah for all it got him was a lonely and disastrous end.
Love you neighbor as your self --- Jesus
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