If you aren't familiar, SOAP is a daily devotional format. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer. You read your Bible passage for the day, and journal in each of those categories. So, here's mine for today.
3 October 2013
SOAP Jonah 3
S: v.5 – The people of Ninevah believed God’s message, and
from the greatest to the least, they declared a fast and put on burlap to show
their sorrow.
v. 9 – Who can tell? Perhaps even yet God will change his mind and hold back his fierce anger from destroying us.
v. 9 – Who can tell? Perhaps even yet God will change his mind and hold back his fierce anger from destroying us.
O: Jonah finally did what he was supposed to do, and there
was an overwhelmingly positive response. The people believed him. I get a sense
that they believed him almost immediately. The king even had a sense of
optimism regarding God’s potential change in heart. What happened that they
were so receptive? It can’t simply be
due to Jonah’s obedience. I know it has to do with God’s timing. Even more so
since they were in a sense waiting for Jonah’s arrival. The reluctant prophet
was met with certain success. And all ended well for the people of Ninevah. It
goes back to the question I’ve always had. What is it about Christianity that
makes a non-believer want to believe?
A: Why isn’t my heart like that? So ready and receptive for
what’s ahead? What is the atmosphere around me? I know there is maybe one
person who is willing to hear me when I speak. And I don’t so much feel afraid
or unwilling to speak. I feel intimidated of saying the wrong things. I still
found myself speaking out even this afternoon. But I can’t help but wonder if
maybe I went the wrong direction. Do I give away all the dirty secrets of my
faith? Or is it ok to get things out in the open to acknowledge the imperfection
of humanity? Why don’t we see more people who are so readily repentant? Are
they there and waiting for me, but I’ve been holding out? Do they acknowledge
that God can love them deeply despite what other ‘christians’ might say?
Unfortunately, I think I have more questions than answers today. And I am
choosing to be ok with that.
P: God, open up my heart again. I know my biggest problem
right now isn’t general fatigue or anxiety. My biggest problem is that I
haven’t been looking to you for my answers. How am I going to be a light that
shines in dark places when I so blatantly refuse to plug myself in to your
light? God, open my heart so that I’m a willing and not a reluctant prophet.
Give me the words to say. Remind me that it really is more about my willingness
and my effort to do the right thing than about having the perfect words to
share. Let me be an example of your love. Let me walk in peace – let it be a
conscious effort to step into the peace of knowing you. Draw me near to you.
Hold me close in the midst of a painful battle. God, for Matt, lead him to
employment. Let us learn from this experience. Show us how to show love and
care for others no matter how much or how little we think we may have. I pray
that you would hold his head up. Let him find his self worth and his value in
you and not in himself or his own accomplishments. God, take away this tight
feeling in my chest that makes me feel like I can’t breathe. Let me breathe in
your peace. Let me sit in your presence. Let me remember that it doesn’t matter
what anyone else thinks of me, but its about what YOU think of me. And the
truth that you wrap me with is that you love me unconditionally. You don’t see
me for what I do or fail to do. You see me for who I am created to be and who I
am in Christ. Remind me of that every moment of every day.
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