You can imagine that while Jonah is sinking to the bottom of the ocean, many thoughts are running through his mind. Jonah is in a state of brokenness where there isn't anything left for him to do but die. God knew what Jonah was thinking and because of His saving grace, He provided Jonah a big fish to swallow him. In our lives we experience times of struggles, hardships, and searching. We may be broken down, hurt, and on our 'last string.' It is in those time of brokenness that God speaks to us and reminds us of the bigger plan. Sometimes we need to be broken in order to be mended.
In the case of Jonah, having to be thrown overboard and then swallowed by a big fish and remaining inside of the fish for three days and three nights was the mending process for Jonah. Sometimes the mending process can be even more painful than the brokenness. For Jonah, while he was inside the big fish he was constricted, placed in a dark, close space area. While Jonah was inside the big fish, he learned how to praise and worship the Lord in a painful place....the mending stage. Jonah was grateful that he was still alive, but the situation was uncomfortable and painful. While we experience the mending stage in our lives, we need to learn the art of praising and worshipping the Lord in the pain as well. God mends us in order for us to be used more effectively.
After the three days and three nights inside the big fish, Jonah was spewed out of the fish's mouth. From there Jonah knew that he had to go to Nineveh and share the word of Christ. Jonah was given a second wind. A second wind is a term used in running. It is a term used when after a significant amount of time of running, the body is growing tired, the muscles become fatigue, and right at the moment when you want to give up, a 'second wind' of energy is formed to propel you to the finish line. That form of second wind is true in our lives too. God's second wind for our lives can "spew" us out into our destiny. The calling that He always intended for us in the first place. Jonah was given a task from God and the first time he ran away, but God gave Jonah a second chance, because God knew the destiny of Jonah. In our own lives we will be broken, but God will use the time of mending to remind us to be joyful in Him, to praise Him through the pain, and from there God will grant us the "second wind" to pursue the calling He always had intended for us.
April 7th, 2013
Gift #682: Sunday Service at Hillsong NYC.
Gift #683: Beautiful worship and Pastor Rich bringing the Word.
Gift #684: An afternoon Sunday stroll in the city.
Gift #685: Seeing a surprise breakdancing performance on the Subway today.
Gift #686: A container of fresh pork buns.
April 8th, 2013
Gift #687: Songs in chapel- Marvelous Light, Shout to the Lord, and I Surrender All.
Gift #688: Riding my bike downtown on this beautiful sunny day.
Gift #689: Moist muffins with extra chocolate chips.
Gift #690: A beautiful sunny day to go for a run.
April 9th, 2013
Gift #691: Fun outfit with light green shorts.
Gift #692: Getting these in the mail today...Yankees tickets
Gift #693: Chicken pot pie soup for lunch.
Gift #694: Riding in the car with the windows down and the wind blowing on my face and through my hair.
Gift #695: We Bought A Zoo soundtrack playing in the background as I complete an online test.
April 10th, 2013
Gift #696: Singing Shout to the Lord in Espanol.
Gift #697: Beautiful girls dressed up in their colorful sundresses and handsome boys dressed up in their polos for Picture Day!
Gift #698: Listening to the rain, thunder, and seeing the lightning this evening. Reminds me how powerful my God is, that he is control of all these things.
April 11th, 2013
Gift #699: Blooming yellow daffodils.
Gift #700: A budding tree with pink flowers.
Gift #701: Beautiful purple hyacinth flowers.
Gift #702: Hard eucharisteo- taking cold medicine...taste no bueno, but helps calm my throat from a cough.
April 12th, 2013
Gift #703: Today's devotion-being reminded to give thanks everyday, throughout the day. "Bless the Lord, O my soul- because this is what blesses the soul."
Gift #704: Working with a young girl on a writing piece in class and seeing her face light up when she completes it.
Gift #705: Playing Legos on the ground with Brooks and Cooper.
Gift #706: Playing with the wild animal figures with Oliver and Max.
Gift #707: Tickles that makes children roll over and laugh.
Gift #708: A wonderful evening of warm apple pie, vanilla ice cream, and wonderful conversations with beautiful women of God.
Gift #709: A brand new light bulb that lights up the room when I turn the knob on.
April 13th, 2013
Gift #710: A warm, green, and hand sewn beanie.
Gift #711: A wonderful afternoon spent with friends with a walk downtown to the park and brunch.
Gift #712: Tulip toast meal with fresh fruits, cinnamon raisin toast, and granola.
Gift #713: Nyack's play production on Mark Twain's Is He Dead? The cast did phenomenal and there was plenty of laughter all around.
Gift #714: Late night run out to Target with my Texas friend Rachel!
