The Jonah in your boat

Text: Jonah 1:1-15; 1 Cor.15:33

In Jonah 1:1-15, we see the story of Jonah and the Mariners. These Mariners were skilled in navigating their boat during stormy weather but on this very occasion, their skills failed them and that prompted them to inquire from God, Who was responsible for the storm. It was discovered that Jonah was responsible and when he was cast into the sea, immediately, the storm ceased. There are certain persons just like Jonah, that you don’t allow into your life else the boat of your destiny will capsize. These persons by their actions, end up causing an unwanted storm in your life that you will find difficult to navigate your boat out off. They are going in the opposite direction of your destiny, yet they still enter your boat in order to change your course. Proverbs 13:20 “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.”

In life, your association is vital in the pursuit and fulfilment of your destiny. Who you follow determines what follows you; your company is what determines your accomplishments. Be very careful who enters the boat of your destiny because they can either help to make you or ruin your life.

There are certain set of people you must avoid if you want to fulfil your destiny. Firstly, toxic people. These persons are very difficult to love. They are very bitter and aggressive due to their past negative experiences. Their level of toxicity is highly infectious. If you are not careful, you may end up becoming like them. Prov. 22:24-25. These persons are never happy so they tend to transfer the aggression on anybody that comes their way. They subconsciously blame Paul for what Peter did to them in the past. You may choose to help them but never make them a part of your crew, else your boat will capsize.

The second set is those who don’t respect your time. Time is one of the most expensive commodities that God has given to man. If it is wasted, it will take the grace of God for it to be redeemed. Any person that does not respect your time, will not also respect your wisdom. The third set is those who always give excuses for their failures. Such persons are always on the defensive and will always make statements like, “It is because my dad died, that was why I couldn’t further my education,” Meanwhile, their dad died 30 years ago. Such people give 99 reasons why they cannot do anything. Anyone who always gives excuses for his or her failure can never be successful in life.

The fourth set is those that are unproductive. No matter the energy, time, knowledge or money you invest in them, it will never yield dividends. There is nothing as painful and frustrating as investing so much on a person over the years, only to see that you were just wasting your time. Such persons don’t even appreciate your efforts; they feel entitled to the help you render them and they keep pulling you backwards.

It is very important that we pay careful attention to who our closest associations are because it is an indication of the direction we are heading to. It will be a great deception on your part to think that associating with the wrong crowd will not affect you. 1 Cor.15:33 “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.”

Through Jonah’s disobedience, he created a storm and not only was his life in danger but also people’s lives on the boat. There are times when the problem may be the people whom you are associating with. Some persons know that they are the problem, but they want you to throw them over so that you can feel bad. As soon as you get the wrong person out of your inner circle or your boat, your storm will cease and you will begin to experience a great calm. Some persons bless you when they come into your life, while some people bless you when they exit your life.

Rev. John Okene, Divine Touch Int’l Ministries, Warri, Delta State
dtimchurch@gmail.com
Prayerline: +2348135952623