Don’t Be Jonah

Written by Jim Kirkland

Picture this: some person unfamiliar with western culture gets dropped into an average American home on the fourth Thursday in November. Their assignment is to drink in the experience of the day through the people and media with whom they come in contact. Then, give report on what they’ve learned about the purpose of “Thanksgiving”.

I suspect they’d report “Thanksgiving” is a day when Americans gather, sometimes from afar, with people, often related. Many of these folks don’t dialogue much other than at “Thanksgiving”. They crowd into stuffy quarters to converse loudly while scenes play out on the television of a procession through the streets of the nation’s largest city. The procession is comprised of huge cartoonish balloons, interspersed with participants who dance, march and play musical instruments. Those scenes later give way for sporting events known as “football”. At this point, more attention is paid to the TV. Discussion erupts about the contests. Then, at some point, feasting commences upon a large roasted bird and a huge array of accompaniments.

But what about the ultimate purpose of “Thanksgiving”?

The conclusion reached, I predict, would be that the holiday marks the start of a greater period called “Christmas”.

This “Christmas” begins the next day, before dawn. During Christmas there is a persistent busyness. Many goods from the market place are purchased for others who are doing the same thing for them. Having cash to do so isn’t a requirement.  Pine vegetation is brought indoors. An eager over-consumption of all consumables is the norm. And as “Christmas” continues, people often sport peculiar clothing emblazoned with winter scenes or bearded overweight elderly men in red velvet warm-up suits and black boots. All this “Christmas” activity continues non-stop for roughly thirty days, culminating on December 25^th (though activities can continue well until the arrival of the new year.)

OK. Enough. We know this account isn’t the reason for Thanksgiving.

But, how far is it, really, from the world’s point-of-view?

Thanksgiving is a day for gratitude, when we should humbly give thanks to the Giver of all good things. It’s an opportunity to recount blessings.

Great purpose for a day off, I say.

Unfortunately, gratitude isn’t so cool anymore. The world whispers we deserve good things. And given our hard work and being a nice person and all, we’re entitled to more than most people. We’ve earned it! And we don’t get all we deserve (how true! But that’s another story.)

Before we dismiss that flawed viewpoint, we should remember that Christ-followers are equally susceptible to ingratitude. Consider Jonah, whose account is found in the short book of the Bible bearing his name.

Jonah tries to run from a God-given assignment he doesn’t much care for. But Jonah realizes his wrong, and God protects him within the belly of a fish. (A sidebar lesson – the blessings God gives us may look nothing like blessings at first.) God later commands the fish to, uh, evict Jonah for a second chance at serving Him in Nineveh.

Jonah now has a heart of gratitude, right?

Well…you would think.

Jonah really dislikes the Ninevites. Seeing those idol-lovin’ heathens destroyed is what Jonah seeks. But God has the audacity to use Jonah to encourage the Ninevites to turn from evil!  Why, Jonah was so mad he wanted to die. And he told God so.    

Jonah quickly forgot the blessings he’d been given.  And even in his self-centered brooding, Jonah was blessed by God with a vine for shade.

Jonah was happy. Perhaps now he’d now remember God’s goodness on his life.

You would think.

The next day the Lord kills the vine. Jonah, who’s literally and figuratively steamed, says he’s angry enough to die. God asks Jonah if he really has the right to be upset, reminding Jonah that though he loved the vine, he didn’t do a thing to care for it. And, frankly, thought more of the vine than the 120,000 Ninevites. That would cause Jonah to have a moment of self-reflection and repentance….

…You would think.

The lesson for us at Thanksgiving is being ever mindful of God’s blessings – chief among them the gift of a Savior, who through His blood shed on the cross provides new life to we dead folks. Self-awareness is in order; that we’re undeserving yet blessed! Acknowledging such is God-centered. It’s also freeing. It’ll change your perspective on everything from the delightful to the painful.

Be grateful. Be obedient. Don’t be Jonah. On the fourth Thursday of November and every other day.