For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another – Galatians 5:13
“Grammy, are you nervous about teaching Sunday School?” Junior inquired. “I was right after accepting the pastor’s invitation. Junior, I felt so unqualified. And I was tempted to call the pastor up and kindly decline,” Grammy answered. “What made you change your mind?” “The topic I was given, to talk about Jonah and the cost that comes with freewill. I kept thinking about ending up being like Jonah in the whale’s belly, because I had chosen to put myself there by missing out on this wonderful opportunity.”
God didn’t make Jonah repent and be obedient; a whale’s belly did. Neither will God make you accept this challenge. Are you willing to spend time in the whale’s belly? I was prompted by divinely inspired thoughts to reflect upon a pivotal decision and the importance of using my free will wisely. While I didn’t believe not pursuing the activity to be a form of disobedience, it would nevertheless feel as if I had positioned myself inside the belly of a whale. Which I perceive to be a place of stagnation, complacency, and choosing to act unwisely.
Jonah is a perfect example of how a whale’s belly became a tool for repentance and obedience. I’ve found that image of entrapment helpful in guiding me from the penalty of poor judgment, such as regrets. So today, are you in a whale’s belly? Jonah got out, and so can you.