Read Jonah 1

San Francisco is home to some of the steepest roads in America. Driving in San Francisco is quite an adventure but riding a bike is the real challenge. It takes maximum effort to ride to the top of a street and then the rider can coast down the other side. It is the coasting that is most exciting and most dangerous.

The prophet Jonah learned how dangerous going downhill could be. Jonah 1 tells us that after being called to go to Ninevah…

Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard… Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep. Jonoah 1:3, 5b NIV

Instead of climbing the hill of obedience, Jonah went down to Joppa, down to the harbor, down into a ship, an eventually down into the belly of a giant fish! When he finally agreed to go to Ninevah, the fish spit him up on to dry ground and he traveled up to the great city to preach God’s message to the people.

Why is it harder to be obedient to God than to just take the easy way and do what you want?
What do you think happens when you spend too much of your life coasting downhill spiritually?
Ask God to give you the desire to be faithful to His call and not settle for the easiest path in life.