Arise Sleeper

The narrative of Jonah’s life is interesting. In the second verse of the book of Jonah he is told, “Arise, go to Nineveh…” God gave a clear, precise command; Arise. Verse three goes on to tell us he flees from the presence of the Lord and headed to Tarshish. Just a few short verses later he is in a ship and again he hears a voice calling, “Arise, you sleeper! Call out to your God!”

If you know the end of the story, through less than ideal circumstances, he did end up in Nineveh and the people were saved, although for some reason Jonah was displeased with their salvation. While it is so easy to condemn Jonah for his attitude after such a clear cut call from God, I am pricked to check my own spirit.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts‬ ‭1:8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Mark‬ ‭16:15‬ ‭ESV‬‬

I feel a prick in my spirit with the same words. “Arise sleeper, call out to your God!” Our world is full of fear, void of peace and searching for something. We have that something; it is JESUS. He is the answer to every problem and every situation. If you have found him, “Arise sleeper, call out to your God!” Share your testimony. Share of his love and great peace. If you are searching, he is the answer. The Bible says to repent, be baptized and he will fill you with his Spirit! We are called to share this great news and share a story of redemption and salvation to the lost around us. Will we arise and fulfill this great call?