My guess is that most people who attend church still have an image of their pastor as being practically perfect.  Times may change but more than a few will carry around the idea that the minister borders on sainthood.  He is neither too tall or too short.  He is neither overweight yet he is not skinny.  He speaks for hours while doing it in under thirty minutes.  His suits are always expensive though they should not cost too much.  He relates to every age in the congregation with ease.  He is young to the old and old to the young.  He is never out of the office while he is out visiting anyone and everyone.  The sermons are extremely well researched while leaving hours for dealing with administration or the problems of people.  You get the basic drift of these thoughts.  We mostly imagine the minister as an example of perfection.  But what do you do with a character like Jonah?

Jonah is one of those prophets who enjoyed success then crashed and burned.  He once spoke boldly to the King but will later try to hide from God.  His heart is not especially gentle toward the sinner.  His emotions give the picture of a man who has unresolved issues with others.  Jonah didn't need to be stuck in the belly of a whale in order to be rescued.  His problem is mainly his problem with God.  Jonah just doesn't seem to appreciate the divine commission to go offer compassion to a sinful people.  He really is not a hero in terms of how we usually see our heroes.  He is a mess.  God will still use him but it will be with all of his faults in full view.  He may be closer to our reality than he is to our fantasy idea of God's hero.

Nobody is ever perfect.  Even ministers tend to fall short in regards to perfection.  There are still a large number of skills or habits remaining for me to learn.  I would like to believe that my intention is noble.  This still will not automatically provide perfection.  My sermons still drift when they should be right to the point.  My efforts to stay in touch with people will never be enough for some.  My approach to leadership may be too vague in a world that embraces convention.  Jonah is a good place for me to study.  His story reminds me that God knows how we really are yet chooses to use us anyway.  No amount of past accomplishment can ever replace living in the present tense with God.  Our prophet seems to forget that somewhere along the way.  God will still call him to go carry a message to a people that he cannot stand.  Not only is God patient with the sinners but He is just as patient with Jonah.

All of us have faults or weaknesses.  We each live with unresolved sin to which we are blind.  God still desires to see us through so His word is indeed the last one.  His call will seldom lead us into an easy path.  What we learn is our greatest obstacle may not be where we are to go but who we are on the inside.  God will have to confront us about what we cannot see.  We have to trust Him to be gracious in that challenge.  Perfection may be an illusion but God's patience is as real as air itself.  Jonah will learn how great that journey can be.  Will we? 

Bro. Trey