Jonah 1:17 Now the Lord had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights.

One of the most familiar stories in the Bible tells about Jonah, who was instructed by God to warn the people of Nineveh to turn from their wickedness, but he chose to disobey and run from God. While on a ship traveling in the opposite direction, a horrific storm came up on the vessel and the shipmates determined it was Jonah who brought on the storm. Jonah instructed the men to throw him overboard. The storm stopped and as we see in today's verse, a giant fish swallowed him. 3 days later the fish vomited him up on the shores of Nineveh. Talk about God getting your attention! 

I want to point out something missed in this story, when Jonah was thrown overboard, God saved Jonah by that fish. Left at sea, he would have eventually drowned. Maybe you are like Jonah, you avoid God's call to: attend church, go on a mission trip, volunteer at a community activity, or better yet, accept Jesus Christ into your life. Something tragic has happened in your life and you blame God and want no part of His call to action. If that's you, God will continue to press and encourage you to change your trajectory and come to Him in obedience. He will use anything to get your attention, in the meantime keep you safe (like Jonah) from harm til you realize your running away isn't worth the trials and tribulations meant to turn around. 

God has a special purpose for your life, especially if you feel His calling to serve in some way. Trust me, it's better to obey than disobey by making excuses for why you don't want to do His bidding. Choose to obey today and God will bless your faithfulness.