Lenten Thoughts (Day 10): Noisy intruders?

The word of the Lord was addressed a second time to Jonah: ‘Up!’ he said ‘Go to Nineveh, the great city, and preach to them as I told you to.’ Jonah set out and went to Nineveh in obedience to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was a city great beyond compare: it took three days to cross it. Jonah went on into the city, making a day’s journey. He preached in these words, ‘Only forty days more and Nineveh is going to be destroyed.’ And the people of Nineveh believed in God; they proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least. The news reached the king of Nineveh, who rose from his throne, took off his robe, put on sackcloth and sat down in ashes. A proclamation was then promulgated throughout Nineveh, by decree of the king and his ministers, as follows: ‘Men and beasts, herds and flocks, are to taste nothing; they must not eat, they must not drink water. All are to put on sackcloth and call on God with all their might; and let everyone renounce his evil behaviour and the wicked things he has done. Who knows if God will not change his mind and relent, if he will not renounce his burning wrath, so that we do not perish?’ God saw their efforts to renounce their evil behaviour, and God relented: he did not inflict on them the disaster which he had threatened. - Jonah 3:1-10

An outsider in a foreign land pointing out the locals' evils will certainly not be welcomed, but here, Jonah is accepted. Surprisingly, his prophetic words are heeded.

How often in our lives did an outsider point to the obvious? What kind of reception do we give to peoples' criticisms, especially those we consider enemies?

Therapy can be very difficult at times. Advice from friends and family can be stinging. Pride and ego want no part of this correction. I want to believe that I know all that I need to know, but of course I don't. An outsiders' perspective can literally be a life-saving one.

This season of penitence and repentance, let us all be more attentive and more receptive to criticism from others. Give me a little nudge, Lord, to listen and heed when others offer me sound advice.

Re-written from My Daily Visitor.