Pursue — verb
- To follow someone or something in order to catch or overtake them.
I came to the desert in pursuit of a breakthrough. Water Walking Women held its annual conference in the Coachella Valley in Southern California, and the theme was Pursue. Period. The end. What an awesome time we had in the Lord. I prayed, cried, worshipped, hugged, danced, and experienced everything in between. Imagine a group of women with one mind and one mission: Pursue God.
Every speaker, every workshop, and even our pajama party encounter touched me deeply. I didn’t hear anything new, but I heard the Word of God explained in fresh, meaningful ways. I’ve heard the story of Jonah many times—how he ended up in the belly of the whale—but this time I received new insight and revelation.
Did y’all know that when God told Jonah to go to Nineveh, Jonah decided the people weren’t worth saving? He went in the opposite direction. That’s where the teacher of the hour grabbed my attention. She made several key points that pierced my spirit:
Lessons from Jonah
- God’s command — God didn’t ask Jonah if he wanted to go. He commanded him.
- Experienced prophet — Jonah wasn’t new to prophecy. He was seasoned and understood exactly what God was asking. He chose disobedience.
- Disobedience affects others — Jonah’s disobedience endangered everyone attached to him. When God sent the storm to get Jonah’s attention, the boat crew suffered. Just like today—when people connected to us disobey God, we feel the storm. And when we disobey, those connected to us get tossed around too. Whew.
- Sleeping through chaos — While the crew fought the storm, Jonah was asleep in the bottom of the boat. How many times has someone brought chaos into your life while they sleep peacefully? Jeesh.
- God’s protection — When they threw Jonah overboard, a whale swallowed him whole. Even in Jonah’s disobedience, God protected him. The whale didn’t chew (LOL).
- Three days of reflection — After three days (which is significant) in the belly of the whale, Jonah finally had the sense to pray.
- Delayed prayer — Jonah didn’t pray when the boat got rocky. Hmm.
- Repentance brings release — When Jonah called out to God, repented, and changed his mindset, he was set free.
- Obedience—eventually — Jonah went where God told him to go. Imagine how much trouble could have been avoided had he realized God’s plan will be carried out—voluntarily or involuntarily.
“One day Yahweh revealed to Jonah, Amittai’s son, this message: ‘Arise! Leave at once for the great city of Nineveh and proclaim judgment against her, for the wickedness of her people is staring me in the face.’”
What touched me most is this: Jonah still had to do what God said.
What Are You Running From?
Do you need to replace your name with Jonah’s in this prayer?
“I called out to Yahweh from a place of total desperation and he answered me… But you, Yahweh, are my God; you raised my life from the pit… I will keep every vow I’ve made to you, Yahweh, for salvation comes only from you.”
— Jonah 2:2–9 TPT
When U Pray 