The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: Set out for the great city of Nineveh, and announce to it the message that I will tell you.  So Jonah set out for Nineveh, in accord with the word of the Lord.
Jonah 3:3

The Book of Jonah is a short but very fascinating story in the Old Testament. The book displays God’s patience with Jonah, whom he has chosen to be his prophet. Jonah runs away from God when God tells him to go to Nineveh and tell the people of the city they are doomed if they don’t repent. Instead, Jonah sets sail in the opposite direction. However, after having been swallowed by a whale, Jonah realizes he has been given a second chance to do God’s will.

Jonah’s reluctant behavior was probably due to the city itself: Nineveh is the capital of Assyria, a dominant world power at the time and one of the arch enemies of Israel (in 722 BC, the Assyrians conquered Jerusalem and deported and resettled several thousand Israelites). This is the only time in the Old Testament when Israel is commanded to actively pursue the Gentiles. God gives Jonah a second chance so that he will grow and give Nineveh a second chance.

Pray today for the grace to learn from Jonah’s experience and to recognize the moments in your life where God is challenging you to grow. Pray for the grace to obey rather than run away.