Our decisions affect others. Often we cause others to suffer needlessly due to our own disobedience.

Jonah is a good example of this.

“And he said to them, “ Pick me up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will become calm for you. For I know that this great tempest is because of me.” (Jonah 1:12)

We likely know when we are being disobedient-just like Jonah did. He knew he was refusing the call of God to go to Nineveh.

We think somehow God won’t pursue us. Yet, we see the Lord send a storm upon the very ship Jonah was hiding on. Thankfully, it appears the Captain was wise enough to wake Jonah to call on his God.

Jonah knew exactly what was going on. Running from the Lord was putting the entire ship in danger. Disobedience will hurt many an innocent onlooker.

If the Lord is nudging you to move into a new assignment, trust Him. There is no guarantee of ease. But there is a guarantee that He will be with you.

I heard a man say something like this once, “Don’t ever hire a Jonah. He might take down your ship.”

Don’t be a Jonah and don’t help a Jonah hide either. Push him (or her) towards their assignment.

Obedience is always the answer.