Jonah, a Big Fish, and . . . a Camel?

Written by Priscilla Shirer on March 7, 2011 - 12:30am

From Going Beyond Ministries' Blog Section

Hey there!

I couldn't wait to write to you today, because last Sunday at church something very interesting happened. After service, a woman who was visiting our church for the very first time came up to say hello to me. She was a kind woman who had come to Dallas with two of her children - one of whom was in a cheerleading competition over the weekend. We shook hands and talked for a bit. She told me that she had just finished going through our Jonah Bible study with a group of women and that they had enjoyed it immensely. This group had felt seriously challenged to find an outreach project to participate in.

Now, before I go any further, let me just say that I am always so grateful to meet women who have been through one of our studies. The reality is that, while you get to see me on DVD, I don't get the privilege of seeing you. Rarely, do I have an opportunity to get the inside scoop on how you may have been challenged or encouraged by the Scriptures presented. So anytime someone sends a photo of their Bible study group or an email about their experiences, I treasure it.  It is an encouragement to me and our Going Beyond team in the most incredible way.

One of the major thrusts of the Jonah study encourages women to seek out and serve someone outside the four walls of their group. It's has been so inspiring to hear about the projects the Lord has birthed in your hearts and used to bless others through your obedience. I've been stunned at the reports we've received, but none has been more unexpected than this one. For when the sweet woman at church pulled out this picture from her purse to show me, I was stunned.

She said, "PRISCILLA, WE BOUGHT A CAMEL!"

Who knew that story about a man and big fish could have anything to do with a camel? But lo and behold, the connection has been made. A "Jonah" camel has been added to the collection of odd characters connected with this story that already boasts not only a fish - but a plant, a wind, a worm  and a scorching sun.

Hmmmmm. Interesting.

These wonderful "camel-buying" women have blessed a mission organization halfway across the world that was in desperate need of this type of transportation to accomplish the work God has set before them. These women, inspired by Jonah's message, became the answer to these missionaries' prayer request.

Amen!

It's amazing how God can put different things in our hearts that all serve the same purpose - reaching a lost world for Him!

I'm wondering if you've done this Bible study: "Jonah: Navigating a Life Interrupted" and if you have, what project your group has been inspired to undertake. Whether it was taking a meal to someone in need around the corner, or sending care packages to people on the other side of the globe, I'm interested in knowing what you've accomplished. There's no telling the kind of impact we can make as we walk in humble obedience to God and service to others.

Can't wait to hear from you today.

Priscilla

AND SO...this was my response to Priscilla's blog post:

Priscilla, hey there. A group of beautiful women at my church Discovery in Orlando, Fla., just finished watching the video for week 5 last night, 3/9. After our session, I decided to get a head start on the homework and went to a local frozen yogurt spot, Chilly Spoons, to complete the Day 1 lesson, which focuses on a Great Commission and us going and making disciples. 

As melodies of Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Rihanna and Pink jumped around through the store, I'm focusing to read through the lesson, asking God to reveal more of Himself to me. I sense His Spirit directing me toward the two young ladies working at the establishment. It's after 9pm, business is slow and I'm the only one in the place. I feel God saying "Mel, I want you to talk to them, share my love with them." I say yes to His request but try to figure out what I will say and how I will say it. A little time passes and a while later, as one of the girls is cleaning up tables near me, I call over to her and begin a conversation. 

I wanted to talk to them both, but the other headed to the back of the store to start some cleaning before they closed. I wish I would have moved sooner and went up to the register area when they were together, but God later showed me a different perspective. He wanted me to meet and talk with Sarah, the one He brought near my table. So I introduced myself, we chatted briefly, I learned she was 16, attended a local Catholic school and wants to go to the University of Florida when she graduates high school next year. I asked her what her spiritual journey was like presently and if she was in a relationship with God. She told me her relationship with God was "okay." She also shared she goes to church every Sunday. She seemed excited to share that part about going to church every week with me. 

I sensed God wanted me to ask her how I could pray for her and to encourage her. So, I asked. She said she really didn't know at that moment ways I could pray. I told her that's okay and I would pray for her as God leads me; (later, on my drive home, I really did pray lots of things that the Holy Spirit directed me to pray for her and her co-worker, encouraging prayers, keeping praying, purity prayers, salvation prayers). So, I didn't walk out of that moment with bells and whistles going, knowing that I had made a huge difference in Sarah's life. I didn't walk out knowing more about her spiritual journey and whether she fully understood what it meant to have a relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ that surpassed the rigors of religion. But what I do believe happened is this: God, simply in those few moments I had with her, wanted me to show her that He was thinking about her. He was thinking about Sarah. 

He knows her by name and loves her enough that He'd send a stranger like me, who also happens to be His daughter, her way just to remind her of that by asking how would she like to be prayed for. My prayer is that when she goes to church this Sunday, she'll remember our meeting and consider anew God's love for her and how He wants to know her personally, even at 16 years of age. I also pray that her heart towards God and the things of God would be heightened and a new desire to grow and learn and know Him would be poured out into her. Much competes for her heart, her desires, her allegiance to so many things in this world. Pray with me that Sarah and her friend would discover that what God has to offer them both is so much better than the let downs downfalls of the world. 

And do pray that I would "I daily share Jesus in how I live..I deeply desire to grow and make a powerful impact by purposing to go about the regular duties of my day with an underlying mission to make disciples - followers of Jesus Christ." - Into All The World, pg. 107, Jonah: Navigating a Life Interrupted.

~ m