How can we recognize when we are running from God's calling today?

The Moment of Flight: Jonah 1:3

“But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship bound for Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went aboard to sail for Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD.” (Jonah 1:3)

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Clues We Are Boarding Our Own “Tarshish-Bound” Ship

• Clear direction from Scripture or the Spirit is ignored or delayed (James 4:17).

• Geographic or emotional distancing—changing jobs, churches, relationships—to escape conviction.

• A sudden willingness to spend time, money, or energy on anything except the assignment God gave.

• Loss of intimacy with the Lord; prayer feels mechanical because obedience is stalled (Psalm 66:18).

• Rationalizing disobedience with theology, circumstances, or the faults of others (1 Samuel 15:24).

• Relentless inner restlessness even when external life seems calm (Psalm 32:3-4).

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Roots Behind the Escape

• Fear of rejection or failure—Jonah dreaded Nineveh’s response (2 Timothy 1:7).

• Prejudice or bitterness—unwilling to extend the mercy God extends (Luke 6:36).

• Self-preservation—protecting reputation or comfort (Philippians 2:21).

• Doubt that God’s way is truly best (Genesis 3:1-5).

• Spiritual fatigue—serving long without replenishing worship, word, and fellowship (Mark 6:31).

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Consequences We Cannot Outrun

• Personal storms—God sends corrective turbulence (Jonah 1:4).

• Collateral damage—others on our “ship” suffer confusion or loss (Jonah 1:5-10).

• Squandered resources—Jonah “paid the fare” yet arrived underwater; disobedience is costly.

• Hardened heart—each step away from God dulls sensitivity to His voice (Hebrews 3:13).

• Delay of blessing—God’s purposes stand, but our participation and joy are postponed (Jeremiah 29:11).

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Steps Back Toward God’s Path

1. Recall the original call—return to the last clear command God gave.

2. Repent quickly—agree with God about sin; turn, don’t spin (1 John 1:9).

3. Realign priorities—reorder schedule, finances, and relationships around obedience (Matthew 6:33).

4. Rely on grace—salvation and service are empowered by God’s mercy, not our merit (Jonah 2:9; Titus 2:11-12).

5. Obey immediately—partial or delayed obedience keeps us on the dock; wholehearted obedience lands us in Nineveh, where God’s miracles await (Jonah 3:3-10).