What form does our message take? Oftentimes, it is no more than something that we enjoy doing very much because we feel that ?we were born to do them?. It might be a natural talent such as singing, teaching and so on. It or it might be a spiritual gift acquired by close contact with God (1 Corinthians 12). For everybody and everything in the world, there is a unique attribute. There is no one in the world that God has created useless and without a purpose. And it is rare to find two people with the same purpose. It is impossible to find two people with exactly the same purpose. The fact that they were born at different times and live in different locations guarantees that. Yet most people feel so comfortable to follow the crowd, even against God's purpose for their lives. If only we could search ourselves often and enquire from God what He demands of us, a lot of miseries will be forestalled.



Many of us Like Jonah run away from our true purpose, because we fear to look different. We are afraid to express ourselves in a particular fashion in a particular place for fear of ridicule. Quite soon, we find ourselves in the same ship with the multitude going on their own ignorant joy ride, and completely in a different direction to God's plan.

The consequences of running away from our purpose is often not immediate and may take very many years to materialise. Jonah was less fortunate. He was quickly discovered by the adventurers as a misfit and cast out of their ship. Most of us will similarly experience job loss, business cancellations, relationship crisis, because we have chosen to put ourselves in the same ship with persons we have met while running away from our purpose . Then the big fish will come. And it will swallow us up. And the name of that big fish is Confusion.

Here is what to do when you fall into such a situation. Follow Jonah's example. He knew where he had gone wrong. And having once experienced a cordial relationship with God, he knew what God demands of him. He went to God in confession, and thanksgiving that his life has at least been spared that he might have another chance to fulfil his purpose. Listen to what he said:

?When my soul became tired then I will remember you, my God: and my prayer will come to you in your holy temple. Those persons, who delude themselves of their righteousness, they shut themselves away from your mercies. As for me I will be remorseful of my errors and thankful for your grace. I will fulfil all the agreement that I have made with you; because you are the only one who can save me.? ? Jonah 2: 7-9 ( paraphrased)

Whatever confusing situation that you may be in today, similarly search yourself, confess your errors to God, and do give thanks to Him for leaving you with another chance to fulfil your ministry. Then go out today and do it. Go out and touch the lives of those around you. Teach the miserable how to sing ; talk to the sick about the healing power of Jesus Christ; bless missionaries with money to take the gospel to the dark places of the world. You can do it, and you will be certainly fulfilled by doing it.

KEY SCRIPTURE :

Jonah 2:9 But I will sacrifice unto you with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord.