Everyday Heroes: Slower Responders

The word of the Lord came to Jonah, son of Amittai: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.”

But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish.

Jonah 1:1-3 (NIV)

Everyday heroes WILL rise to respond, but some respond more slowly than others.

How much more slowly?

  • A 10-day trip turned into 40 years… for God’s children to reach the Promised Land.

  • For Thomas, it was 8 despairing days… before he believed that Christ had risen.

  • For Jonah, it was 3 whale-belly days… to stop running from God and obey Him.

  • For Gideon, it was 2 “prove-it” days… as he asked God to confirm He was God.

  • For Jeremiah, it was a brief pause to gather his young courage and go forth.

In each case, God’s heroes did the right thing! Their faith grew, and they responded in time.

Actors, models, and talent for Christ:

Wondrously, we serve a God of mercy, patience, compassion, and second chances! When we do what’s right (even if delayed), He loves, forgives, and restores… nonetheless.

Oh-so-gratefully, I’m an example… which I hope will give you encouragement for loved ones who haven’t (yet) responded.

Committing to Jesus at 51 might seem to many… remarkably LATE. Now, looking back, God’s timing seems perfect!

Truthfully, any way you look at it… following Christ is a lifelong process.

  • The more we step up, the closer we get.

  • The closer we get, the stronger we grow.

  • The stronger we grow, the brighter we shine.

'But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord' (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Next bottom line? Being a responder (even a late one) is valued by God AND a requirement for godly success.

Everyday Heroes: Slower Responders (Part 3)

NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God! We’re ALL called to be actors (action stars) for Jesus. We’re ALL called to models of Jesus, and we ALL have gifts, talents, and callings from God–  to multiply them in the world for His glory.

P.S. NO DEVOTION, PREACHER, or SERMON… can begin to replace personal time in the Bible. I wholeheartedly and clear-headedly recommend READING THE BIBLE DAILY.

WARNING: Don’t focus on favorite verses, because out of context, they’re often misinterpreted. I plead with you to READ AT LEAST 1 BIBLE CHAPTER DAILY. How long does it take? An average of 5 to 10 minutes!

Carey Arban