When You’d Rather Run: What Jonah Teaches About God's Mission

We all have moments where we know what God is asking us to do—but we still want to run. Maybe it’s fear. Maybe it’s inconvenience. Maybe it’s just not what we pictured for ourselves. But Jonah’s story reminds me—and maybe reminds you—that running from God always costs more than obeying Him.

The Mission Starts Here—Even When You’re Hesitant

Last Sunday, I asked our church family to open their Bibles to the book of Jonah. Jonah’s story is one many of us know—he gets swallowed by a giant fish, spends three days inside it, then finally obeys God’s call to preach to the wicked city of Nineveh.

But I didn’t focus on the fish. I focused on the running.

Because while we may not hop on a ship to Tarshish, spiritually we do the same thing Jonah did: we run. We resist. We hide. And sometimes, like Jonah, we even convince ourselves that if we get far enough away from the call of God, He’ll just forget about us.

He won’t.

The Call Is Clear—But So Is Our Resistance

In Jonah 1:1-2, God gives a crystal-clear command: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.”

Jonah doesn’t misunderstand the assignment. He’s not confused. He’s not seeking clarity. He just doesn’t want to go.

And that hit home for me. Because how many times has God placed something on my heart—someone to love, someone to serve, a conversation to have, a mission to support—and I’ve come up with reasons why now isn’t the right time?

Jonah had his reasons. Nineveh was violent. It was the enemy. The people didn’t deserve grace in Jonah’s eyes. He was angry. Afraid. Maybe even prideful. So instead of stepping into the mission, he stepped onto a boat and sailed the opposite direction.

Three Reasons We Run from God

As I sat with Jonah’s story, I found three words that summarize why we run: uncomfortable, inconvenient, and costly.

1. Uncomfortable
Jonah didn’t want to go to Nineveh because the people were different. They were dangerous. And it made him uncomfortable to imagine God showing them mercy. I get that. Sometimes God asks us to step into relationships, ministries, or environments that stretch us, that make us feel awkward or uncertain. But when discomfort becomes our compass, we start drifting away from God's mission.

2. Inconvenient
Let’s be honest: ministry takes time. Investing in people is messy. Serving others often clashes with our schedules, our preferences, or our comfort zones. I’ve caught myself saying, “I would, but I have to…” And when I do, I realize that I’m letting my convenience dictate my calling.

3. Costly
And no, I’m not talking about money. I’m talking about pride. About comfort. About control. Sometimes answering God’s call means I have to admit I was wrong, change my priorities, or love people I never thought I’d love. That’s the cost Jonah wasn’t ready to pay—at least not at first.

When We Settle, God Shakes Things Up

Here’s what struck me most: Jonah, after running from God, finds a place to sleep in the middle of a raging storm. He got so used to disobedience that he could rest in it. And that’s a dangerous place to be—when we start getting comfortable in our rebellion.

But God sent a storm—not to destroy Jonah, but to wake him up. And maybe that’s what storms do for us too. Maybe when things fall apart, it’s not punishment—it’s a divine alarm clock. God doesn’t always let us settle. He loves us too much to let us stay asleep when the mission is calling.

God Doesn’t Give Up on Runners

One of my favorite lines in Jonah’s story comes in chapter 3: “Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time.”

A second time.

God could’ve chosen someone else. He could’ve said, “Forget Jonah. I’ll find someone who listens the first time.” But He didn’t. He waited. He extended grace. And when Jonah was ready, God used him—flaws, history, baggage and all.

That’s our God. He doesn’t give up on runners. He doesn’t walk away from the stubborn. He offers second chances. And third. And fourth. Not because we earn them—but because He’s that good.

It’s Not About Saying the Right Thing—It’s About Saying Something

When Jonah finally did go to Nineveh, his sermon wasn’t elaborate. It was just a few simple words: “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.”

And yet the whole city repented.

That reminded me—and maybe it will remind you—that God doesn’t need us to be eloquent. He needs us to be obedient. You don’t have to say it perfectly. Just say it. Say that God loves them. Say that there’s hope. Say that Jesus saves. And trust that God can do more with your words than you ever imagined.

Stop Making It About You

That’s the challenge Jonah gives me—and all of us: stop making it about your fear, your pride, your comfort. Start making it about God’s mission. When Jonah finally said “yes,” God did what only God can do. And I believe He’ll do the same through you and me—when we stop running.

So I’ll ask you what I asked our church last Sunday: What are you running from? And are you ready to stop?

Let’s say yes—even when it’s hard. Because the mission starts here.