Afrikan Goddess (AG) Online

By: N. Amma Twum-Baah (September 1, 2009)

Remember the story of Jonah in the belly of the whale? He spent three days and nights there and was later spewed out on shore where he reluctantly and angrily delivered the word of God. As a child, I remember being fascinated with this story because of  the underlying message I got - that no matter how far we  may run, or where we may hide, God will always find us if he has chosen to use us.  The same still rings true today.

Jonah paid a prize for trying to escape God. He found himself in a place he would much rather not have been. Have you ever felt like you were paying the price for trying to run away from God’s purpose? Have you ever felt that no matter what you do, God never seems to approve – whether it’s that you married  the wrong man and now you’re miserable because you did not heed God’s guidance, you have property you cannot pay for because you were following the world, and not God’s commands, or you are miserable in a job that pays you well instead of being in a job you love that honors God, brings you such joy, but may not pay so well? If you answered yes to any of the above or similar situations, you may be in the belly of a whale because you are running away from God’s purpose for your life.

When I was young, my mother had a saying she was most noted for among my siblings and I. “You’re too stubborn for my liking!” Today, we fondly remember the times we were too stubborn for her liking, but, back then it was no laughing matter. She meant serious business and such a quote was usually accompanied by a swat to the backside or worse. Just as we, humans, get frustrated when our children are being too stubborn and resistant to the straight path, I’m sure God feels the same way.

For me the prize of trying to run away from God has not been as dramatic as spending three days and nights in the belly of a whale, but it has been equally painful and flustering.  In all my running and resistance, I have come to realize that God never gives up on those he has called no matter how hard we might try to resist that calling. There’s a sense of peace that comes from accepting that no matter what you do, and no matter how far you run and hide, you will never be happy doing what is not in line with your life’s purpose.

Out of disobedience, or a will to do greater and better things than what God has called us to do, many of us find ourselves struggling with the consequences of our actions, and choices. It is the reason why you might be in that prestigious job that pays a lot of money and great benefits, but is lacking in personal fulfillment and happiness. It may be the reason why no matter how far you go, you always feel like something’s missing, and always find yourself coming back to that one true love. For me that true love, as I found out, is writing. I can get up at 4 a.m. in the morning to write and not feel burdened.

We run away from these things because they usually don’t fit in with our ideals or with the world’s perception of prestige – we feel they may not sustain us long enough or bring us the happiness we desire. But, when something’s not right, you know it. Choosing a career or life plan just to please people will always prove to be disastrous, and it’s the worst mistake anyone could make. I know lawyers who spent hundreds of thousands of dollars training to become a lawyer for the prestige associated, especially among African social circles, with being a lawyer, only to secretly admit they wish they had taken that culinary class, or writing class, or dancing class that seemed to make them truly happy. Only a few have had the nerves to follow their true calling in life. Others still struggle with the need to please – whether its parents, friends, or society in general.

My resistant heart found God when I finally accepted that becoming a lawyer was not my life’s calling. I wanted to be a lawyer in order to effect change in the lives of others and to be a voice for the voiceless. Writing still fulfills this purpose, and in an even greater and more rewarding way. The peace I have, knowing this is my calling is so insurmountable. When my fingers touch the letters on the keyboard and I begin to type away – that’s when I feel most content. Don’t allow human influence and envy to keep you resisting. The sooner you give up running, the better it will be for you, and for those whose lives you were meant to touch.

Life in itself is a lesson. Many say it’s a journey of discovery, I say it’s the discovery of a journey. After my life’s experiences, I have come to the conclusion that those God has chosen can run but they can’t hide. They are like modern day Jonahs. So, let go of your resistance to your true calling in life. God has a purpose for you that is far greater than what people might have you think. Only when you do this, will you truly be happy and fulfilled in this place we call home.