Devotion 2: The Divine Comedy Of Disobedience

Lorena Norris

We usually think of Jonah as a light, kid-friendly Bible story, but when read closely and thoughtfully, it’s anything but simple. It’s a divine mix of SNL satire and comic-book exaggeration: storms rage, sailors panic, and the prophet Jonah naps through it all. Jonah’s stubbornness is ridiculous, yet painfully familiar. Beneath the laughs, the book of Jonah is God holding up a mirror to us all. It’s not just about a storm, a big fish, or a distant city. It’s about me and you: our disobedience, our excuses, and the ways we cling to our little version of “true life” while resisting the life God is actually offering.

In verse two, Jonah receives a clear and direct call, “Arise, go to Nineveh.” No confusion. No mystery. Jonah is a prophet, and his entire job is to speak for God. Instead of obeying, he runs in the exact opposite direction, booking a ticket to Tarshish and paying his fare to flee God’s presence. Why? Because Jonah thought he knew best. He thought he understood justice, mercy, and who deserved God’s love. He wanted control over the story. He thought God’s plan was a threat to his idea of “the good life.” In reality, he was running from life itself, from the adventure God was inviting him into.

This story points straight to Jesus. Like Jonah, we try to run from God’s call, but Jesus goes where we cannot—into brokenness, sin, and death itself—so that we can be born again. God calls us to step into lives that need mercy, just like Jonah was called to Nineveh. Jonah’s story reminds us that God’s grace is bigger than our fear, bigger than our judgment, bigger than our stubborn hearts. The gospel is that Jesus pursued us when we were running, carrying us into true, abundant, eternal life.

So, here’s the question you are faced with: where are you headed, Nineveh or Tarshish? Is there a part of your life where you’re running because it’s uncomfortable or because God’s invitation messes with your plans? Jonah’s story is funny and over-the-top, and his story of disobedience forces us to examine our disobedience. Stop running. Laugh at your stubbornness for a second, then trust God’s invitation. His call isn’t ruining your life. He desires to lead you into the adventure of grace, bigger than anything you could ever imagine.