Have you ever thought to yourself, “Wow that person is really headed in the wrong direction,” and proceeded to move on with your day, or even worse, condemn them? When I started working at a new job, I wasn’t sure what to think about my co-workers. Many of them weren’t the most welcoming or kind people I’ve met. I realized I didn’t quite enjoy their company, and it was challenging to connect. I kept to myself and continued to not associate with them because I thought they would never change. Truth be told, at the time, I didn’t care if they changed or not – sounds pretty harsh, right? Are there people in your life you don’t get along with? 

‍

As we read the book of Jonah, we see a similar parallel in which Jonah was quite aware of the sinful nature of the Ninevites. In fact, he felt like they didn’t deserve God’s mercy. Specifically in today’s passage, we see Jonah is upset with God’s decision to show mercy to the people of Nineveh when they repented. What Jonah forgot in that moment was God had forgiven Jonah’s own disobedience and shown him great mercy. God’s forgiveness was not only for Jonah or for Israel alone, but it is for all who repent and believe. Were we deserving of the mercy we received when we repented to God? 

‍

I recall a time in my life that I was so disobedient to God, and he graciously put people in my life that were bold enough in their faith to help me receive his grace. But fast forward to that new job, and just like Jonah did, I forgot about God’s mercy toward me and where my journey began. I should’ve been searching for opportunities to share the goodness I had received from God instead of being angry, thinking they weren’t deserving of grace. Are you judging whether someone is worthy of God’s mercy? It’s God’s plan to use his people to reach the lost and to bring restoration. Sometimes people just need that one person in their life willing to help them see that God wants to do a restorative work in them, too.  

Maybe the first step for you today is to realize that God wants to draw you into a relationship with himself. Do you need God to change your heart towards someone in your life? How might them seeing you walking in a relationship with God encourage them to pursue him too? As you grow in your relationship with God, ask yourself these questions. What could it look like for you to step into reaching the lost people around you?  Think about the people you interact with every day; something might be causing them to act the way they do. Is there a way to extend grace to them, just like God has done for you? Ask how you could pray for them or walk with them in their situation. 

‍

God, thank you for the mercy and grace I have received in my life. When I was unknowing of my sin, you sent people into my life to help me change for the better. I ask for your forgiveness for times when I lacked thankfulness and focused on my own concerns. I ask that you guide me and provide wisdom to discern your will. Show me the next step, giving me the courage to obey your will even when the path is unclear. I pray that my life will honor the grace that I have received. Allow my faith to continue to grow, restore my spirit, and help me to extend grace to others like you did for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.