Vocation before Vacation

The old saying, you can run, but you can't hide is especially true when it comes to the authorities and your parents, and even more so when it's God you are running from. Just ask Jonah! God gave him a job to do, and whether it was fear of the Ninevites or his hatred of them, he didn't want to do it. He knew that God was merciful and good and would help the Ninevites, rather than destroy them like he wanted, so Jonah said no thanks and hopped a boat to Tarshish, 1,500 miles in the opposite direction. He was trying to run away from his problems. Bad move. Some angry sailors, a nasty storm, wet clothes, and three days as fish food reminded him that you just can't run from your responsibilities.  

"O Lord you have sent this storm upon him for your own good reasons." (Jonah 1:14)

You don't have to like it. In fact, often times you won't. But that doesn't mean you don't have to do it. Running from your responsibilities is for weak men who wind up as fish bait. Stepping into the difficult, uncomfortable situations, taking risks, and doing the work is how change occurs and winning is done.   

Vacation before vocation never ends well.

You can't run from God. When He calls you into a mission, no matter how hard you try, you can't avoid it. He'll put whatever storms he needs to into your life to get your attention. So what if you don't like it? He’s not worried about your feelings or opinion. The boat to Tarshish is just an excuse to take the easy road. Complete the mission, do the work, and stop complaining about it. There's always a boat to Tarshish, but don't get on it until the work is complete. Vacation before vocation doesn't end well.