When you encounter imperfect people today, remember they just did...
Read MoreWhen you encounter imperfect people today, remember they just did too! ~ John Stanko
Life’s imperfections make for the best stories. Let’s embrace our flaws and learn to laugh along the way!
Sure, here’s a humorous story from the Bible that highlights that point:
Picture this: Jonah, the reluctant prophet, receives a divine assignment from God to go to Nineveh and preach repentance. But Jonah, being the imperfect human he is, decides to take a little detour. He hops on a ship heading in the opposite direction, thinking he can outrun God. Spoiler alert: he couldn’t.
While at sea, a massive storm hits, and the sailors, terrified, start throwing cargo overboard to lighten the ship. Jonah, meanwhile, is down below deck, snoozing away as if he’s on a peaceful vacation cruise. The sailors wake him up, and after some dramatic drawing of lots, they figure out Jonah’s the cause of their trouble.
Jonah, in his groggy state, admits that he’s running from God and tells the sailors to throw him overboard to calm the storm. They reluctantly do so, and Jonah finds himself in the belly of a giant fish. Imagine the scene: Jonah, sitting there in the dark, probably thinking, “Well, this is just great!”
Three days and three nights pass before Jonah gets spit out onto dry land. Covered in fish goo and smelling less than fresh, he finally heads to Nineveh, where he delivers his message. The people of Nineveh, surprisingly, repent, and God spares the city.
In the end, Jonah’s journey is a humorous reminder that even prophets can be imperfect and stubborn.
Jonah condemned the Ninevites for their imperfections, sins, and stubbornness, yet he exhibited the same traits.
This story encourages us to be gracious to others, to forgive, to be patient, to pardon, and to extend grace.
Remember, the people you serve are imperfect and can get on your nerves. But so are you: imperfect and capable of getting on others’ nerves.
So, when you encounter imperfect people today, and you will, remember they just encountered someone as imperfect – you!
