Image Credit:  Ben White - Public Domain Image via Freely Photos

The following is a short summary of week one of our ladies' Bible study, Jonah:  Navigating a Life Interrupted by Priscilla Shirer.

Life Interruptions Don't Always Make Sense

Life interruptions don't always make sense.  Sometimes the things we feel God is calling us to do make no sense to us at all.  If it doesn't make sense, then I don't want to do it.  I'd much rather stay in a place that makes sense - a place where I'm comfortable.

Jonah faced a situation that made no sense.  He was being asked to leave his homeland where he had been comfortable.  He was being asked to give up everything he had always known to travel to a far away land that inhabited his enemies - a corrupt land.  He had been perfectly happy and comfortable fulfilling his God-given role right where he was.  Why would God call him to give all that up for such a corrupt people?  It made no sense. 

In our journeys with God, we will likely come across our personal Ninevehs.  For some, this might actually be a place; for others, Nineveh is a task or a relationship and just the mention of that mission or person sends us into an emotional tailspin.  We'd just rather not go.  And, like Jonah, we can point to many reasons that would keep us at home. - Priscilla Shirer

However, we are not to trust our own heart.

The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick.  Who can understand it?  - Jeremiah 17:9

 Here are several key points I took away from this first week:

1.  A life interrupted by a holy God is a privilege.

2.  When God calls us and allows us to see His hand in our lives, we have to realize the significance of being asked to participate in His divine purpose and plan for His kingdom. It is a high honor.

He's purposefully given you the high honor of being the one He deemed suited for a task that has Heavenly implications - a task of divine partnership that will yield magnificent results for you and for His kingdom. - Priscilla Shirer

 3.  It was not until Jonah received a life interruption that he developed a life story that made a stamp on history.  A life interruption offers us an opportunity to write a life story of eternal significance.

Make sure your life writes a story worth reading. - Priscilla Shirer

4.  A life interruption will make us question our sincerity about our willingness to yield to God's will.

5.  It is not our legacy or lack of legacy that makes us significant.  What makes us significant is our willingness to obey.

6.  God's call on our lives do not always make sense but those who respond in obedience will enjoy the benefit of God's protection.

In order to benefit from the entire Bible study, I encourage you to complete the study with a group either at your church in a home with friends.   The leader kit below includes the DVDs and all the materials you'll need to complete the study.

You'll find all my posts about this Bible study here.

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