Day 10 - Purpose and Perspective
Today, we’re looking at the story of Jonah — a story that shows how God provides not just through physical rescue, but through purpose and perspective.
Jonah was given a clear command from God:
“Go to the city of Nineveh and preach against it, for its wickedness has come up before Me.”
But Jonah wanted nothing to do with that mission. Nineveh was a violent and cruel city, so instead of obeying, Jonah ran in the opposite direction — away from God’s calling.
Even as Jonah ran, God pursued him with mercy.
Inside the belly of a great fish, Jonah finally cried out,
“Salvation comes from the Lord.”
In that moment, he recognized God’s mercy — and God gave him a second chance to walk in his purpose.
Jonah eventually obeyed, went to Nineveh, and preached God’s message. The people repented, and God spared them.
But instead of celebrating, Jonah grew angry. He wanted justice, not mercy.
In Jonah 4:2–4, we read:
“I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love… but the Lord replied, ‘Is it right for you to be angry?’”
God reminded Jonah that His mercy extends to everyone — even those we find difficult to love or understand.
Jonah needed a new perspective — and often, so do we.
God provides both purpose — to lead others closer to Him — and perspective — to see others as He sees them: with grace, mercy, and love.
When we accept both, our hearts begin to align with His, and we start reflecting His character to the world around us.
Challenge / Takeaway
Purpose: You are called to lead others closer to God.
Perspective: You are called to see people as God sees them — with grace, mercy, and compassion.
Ask yourself:
- Where has God given you purpose that you’ve been hesitant to walk in?
- Where do you need His perspective to see others with love instead of frustration?
When we live with both purpose and perspective, even in small moments, we become living reflections of God’s grace.
Prayer
God, thank You for giving us both purpose and perspective.
Thank You for showing us mercy when we least deserved it.
Help us to extend that same mercy to others — in both big ways and small, everyday moments.
Give us eyes to see people as You see them and hearts willing to walk out our purpose with love and compassion.
Use our lives, our words, and our actions to draw others closer to You.
In Jesus’ name, amen.