Obedience, fish and happiness

I just returned from my inaugural singles Bible study in town. We're studying the book of Jonah, and it started me thinking about obedience. And how obedience leads to joy. And how living in a big fish for three days may lead to repentance, but not necessarily to happiness.

{Just for grins, imagine my big brother singing "Oh Brother Jonah, he got swallowed up in the belly of a whale," at church as a child. Hee hee.}

You know the story. God told Jonah to go to Ninevah, but Jonah refused and boarded a ship bound in the opposite direction. God sent a storm, and the sailors threw Jonah overboard, where he was swallowed by a "big fish." After three days in stinky fish, Jonah repented, and God caused the fish to throw up Jonah on the shore (can you imagine how Jonah smelled at this point?). So Jonah ends up in Ninevah, the Gentiles were saved, and Jonah threw a fit.

Yes, Jonah eventually did God's will, but he lost the joy of obedience. God used him, but Jonah didn't find any pleasure in it. Why do we struggle against what God wants? We know He only wants what's best for us. Why do we think we know better?

See, it's easy for me to judge Jonah, but I've been in his boat (pun intended) many times. Running from God. Causing a mess. Finally giving in only to find that I eventually do what I should have done in the first place, but I miss the blessing.

God never promised us an easy life, but He did promise us joy in Him. I hope it doesn't take a big fish to remind me of that.