As one who has never wanted to stand out in a crowd, ya know, Jonah is awfully relatable: “Anyone but me God. Don’t put me in the spotlight and make me uncomfortable. Anyone but me, please. You’re God, so you don’t need me anyway, right?! And what are you picking me for, to suffer publicly? Thanks, God?”
   I had a great plan for my life. I really did—Bible approved and everything. Yet, I currently find myself in unenviable circumstances…..again. 
   Not gonna lie, it’s been harsh. Life hit me hard, as it does for ALL of us in various ways and at various times. Hasn’t hit you hard yet? It will, sorry. 
   It is always for our good that God picks us out, tells us what to do, and even keeps us from what we have identified as desperate wants for our own happiness. When God picks us out to experience repulsiveness, as he did Jonah, it hurts deeply. 
   Yet, we get to see God show off, we get to see who He really is. Those glimpses are indescribably incredible!  All the while, He recognizes what we want, and raises the bar to gift us more; to gift us His peace that passes all understanding, His abundant grace and incredible love. Things we could never manipulate for ourselves.
   
  As we do this life in our precious little messy community, with a God who holds us steadfastly, loving us more fiercely than we can imagine, this is my life verse:

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“So, Humble yourselves under God’s strong hand, and in His own good time, He will lift you up. You can throw the whole weight of your anxieties upon Him, for you are his personal concern.” 1 Peter 5:6-7