Hello everyone! It's Charlie, and I couldn't be more excited to welcome you to my author blog and to kick off a brand-new series of blog posts about my latest book, "Jonah: Following God's Call When You'd Rather Run Away"! This isn't just about a bible story; it's about a journey, and I want to invite all of you to join me as we unpack the incredible story of Jonah and its profound relevance for our lives today.
You know, this book's journey actually started back in summer 2022, right in the heart of our worship services at church. I was deep into preaching the sermon series on the book of Jonah, and everyone was so supportive! It's not just a children's story (though I admit, my first introduction to Jonah was in a children's Bible, complete with a terrifying whale and scary Ninevites!). As we dove in, it became clear that Jonah's story is our story, full of universal truths that hit home for "the runner in us all". I later was able to re-preach these messages to a high school student retreat at Camp Luz here in Ohio, and the Holy Spirit moved us all once again by the story.
The "Mulligan" Prophet and God's Unwavering Love
We explored how Jonah was a guy who received "multiple mulligans" in his life. You know what a mulligan is on the golf course, right? A do-over! And isn't that just like God? He's a God of "second chances", even when we've messed up big time. We learned that while we might be able to run from God, we can never outrun God. He's always ahead of us, orchestrating circumstances to get our attention and bring us back. My own personal story includes shying away from a call to pastoral ministry in my life. I finally made that step to trust God by being obedient, and like Jonah, I’ve experienced God’s love and support in new ways.
One of the most powerful revelations was that "it is never too late to pray". Jonah prayed from inside the belly of a giant fish, surrounded by seaweed, probably wondering what on earth was going on!. I share my own frustrations and fears of becoming a pastor, being a good dad, and even becoming a grandpa! Jonah chapter 2 is a reminder that no matter how deep the pit, no matter how dire the circumstances, God is always listening.
But here’s where the story gets really juicy, and sometimes, a little uncomfortable: God's love isn't just for us. It's for everyone. Jonah, a prophet chosen by God, absolutely hated the Ninevites – these notoriously brutal Assyrians who were enemies of his own people. He fled to Tarshish (which Bible scholars believe was like a "vacation area" or an "all-inclusive resort" on the other side of the known world, the exact opposite direction God told him to go!) because he knew God was "a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love". He was afraid God would forgive them, and he didn't want that.
Sound familiar? We often want God's grace for ourselves but struggle when we see Him extend it to others we deem "unworthy". It’s like we want to add a little "footnote to grace". But the truth is, God's love is unwavering and unconditional. He’s concerned with eternal things, and His ways are indeed "higher than our ways".
From Pulpit to Page: The Book's Genesis
As I preached through these incredible truths, the messages resonated so deeply, not just with our congregation but also within my own heart. I've always been an "encourager", and I felt a strong pull to take these powerful lessons beyond the pulpit. You see, it wasn't all that long ago that I lacked the courage, money, and time to fully step into my God-given giftedness. In fact, it took me about 30 years to fully embrace God's call to be a pastor. I can definitely relate to Jonah's "delayed obedience" not changing the instructions!
So, the idea for "Jonah: Following God's Call When You'd Rather Run Away" began to take root. This book, the first in my "Dare to Believe" series, which aims to be more than just a collection of words; it's a guide, a coach, inspiring you to "step into whatever He has asked you to do with your life". My hope is that it will challenge your perceptions, encourage deep self-reflection, and ultimately draw you closer to Jesus.
Through Jonah's adventures, we explore what it means to live out our faith in "upward, inward, outward, and forward" dimensions. This framework has profoundly shaped my own understanding of identity and calling, and I believe it can do the same for you.
Join the Journey!
I've poured my heart into this book, hoping to make Jonah's ancient story accessible and transformative for you today. It's filled with humor (like when God consumes Jonah's comfort through a little worm after he was so happy about a leafy plant!), relatable examples, and practical applications that will help you "start where you are, take what you have, and do what you can" to live a more meaningful life.
I promise you, God is always working in the lives of everyone you meet, building His case for belief. We don't start at step one; we simply join God in where He is already working!. So, I want to ask you, as I often do in my sermons: "Does your Nineveh have a name?". Who is that person or situation God is calling you to?
I invite you to dive into this journey with me! Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing more behind-the-scenes insights, excerpts, and reflections from the book. Be sure to subscribe to my blog, check out the "Charlie Grimes Podcast", and get ready to discover how God's plan is always bigger than our fears and failures!
With much love and gratitude,
Charlie