“Tickets, Tickets, get your tickets to Tarsus” The barker at the dock cried with a loud voice as Jonah wrestled with what he was asked to do by God. His mind could not settle as he doubted he could accomplish what God desired of him. Part of him wanted to go to Nineveh just as he was challenged by God. Part of him was afraid because the task would be to demanding. His shoulder bag was already packed. The ticket was not yet purchased. Personal thoughts consumed his heart. It was now time to find his true destiny to obey himself or to obey God. The experience of this moment in time was now relentless in pressuring him to make a decision. The deepest parts of his mind, body, and spirit all ached for an easy choice. Going to the ship dock was never so stressful. Indecision always comes to the forefront when we are faced with making the simplest of decisions as the weight of life experiences bears down on us. What should be the easiest decision would reveal itself instantly if we would just allow God to carry our burdens and storms. Years later Christ revealed that He alone faced a moment of indecision. “If there is any way for this cup to be passed?” Yet He bowed before the Father and said, “Never the less, not my will but yours be done.”
The cry of the barker captured Jonah’s ears and echoed in his mind. The constant cry led him in a direction much like a tug of war. The mind is powerful, it’s doubt is powerful, it’s fear is overwhelming. The pulling on his heart strings weakened him and he was soon overshadowed by the bark of the world around him. His feet carried him to the barker and in a moment of true weakness Jonah said in a quiet and hushed tone, “One ticket to Tarsus, please”. He still could have changed his numbing choice as he reached within his robe for the pouch of small coins to purchase his ticket. The exchange was made. For a few small coins he forfeited so much. The barker was quiet as he gave Jonah his ticket to Tarsus. The tug of war was over. A sense of satisfaction swept over him. In his hand was a cheap ticket pacifying him as he could now sail in the opposite direction from God’s will. Did he not remember the story of Adam and Eve who tried to hide from God? In his selfishness he sacrificed all that he knew about God and the precious verbal heritage taught to him by his parents.
After boarding, Jonah’s took a deep breath and sighed as he exhaled. He soon found a place to rest aboard the ship. His only thought was for himself, “Now I will rest and enjoy the passage to Tarsus.” Soon it would be revealed clearly that you can not run from God. God once again caught his attention through the experiences that he would face in next hours and days.
Ultimately Jonah repented and went to Nineveh. He gladly obeyed God’s call which he had so shamefully rejected earlier. He was now prepared to preach a great revival as God had intended all along. Many people turned to the Lord and decided to follow God. All because of a Boarding Pass!
Are you listening to the world?
Do you find find yourself running from God?
Where is your boarding pass taking you today in your life experiences?
Do you possess the most treasured boarding pass in all the world? An eternal ticket that no amount of money can by. A ticket that was purchased for you by the blood of Christ. A boarding pass written in crimson red, stained with the sacrifice of Christ!
“Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of the Lord”.
In a world full of no, we’re in a ship full of yes because of the love of Jesus who brings peace to our indecision. Sail on with joy in your heart. May your winds be fair and your sails captured by the Spirit of God as you sail on the seas of life. May we all be found doing the work Christ has called us to do. May you parasail over the rough seas below you and allow the Holy Spirit to be your paraclete throughout your life on this earth.
All because of a Boarding Pass!
When the golden sun is setting,
And your feet no longer trod;
May your name in gold be written,
In the autograph of God!
Paul Sisson
TREASURES FOR THE HEART 