“But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord.” — Jonah 1:3

Heavenly Father,

I am so thankful that your love is not deterred by my stubbornness or my attempts to run from you. What a comfort it is to know that I cannot hide from you! Even when I resist you and head in the opposite direction, you do not abandon me. You pursue me because you love me.

Too often, I book my own ticket to Tarshish. When you call me to do something difficult, my first instinct is to run the other direction. I may not board a physical ship, but I am an expert at fleeing your presence. I run by staying busy or by drowning out your Word with noise. I run by rationalizing my disobedience until it sounds like wisdom. I willingly pay the fare of distraction just so I don’t have to face what you are asking me to do.

Forgive me for wanting to manage my own life rather than trust you with it. Rescue me from the exhausting work of trying to have my own way. Would you change my heart? I do not want to obey you merely because I am afraid of what might happen if I refuse. I want to obey because your wisdom is better than mine and that your commands are always good.

Remind me that wherever you are sending me, even if it is to a place or a person I want to avoid, your presence goes with me.

In the name of Jesus,

Amen.