This week’s reading from Jonah 1 tells us about one of the most unlikely candidates for a job. God told a man called Jonah to go and preach to the people of Nineveh, a city that was characterised by unrepentant sin and evil. Such a mission seemed doomed to failure.

And even if there were some possibility of success, surely no one in their right mind would choose Jonah to complete the task! He did not believe in giving wicked people like the Ninevites, enemies of Israel, the opportunity to repent and be forgiven. Jonah was so unwilling to take on this assignment that he fled in the opposite direction.

At this point, most people would give up on him and just find someone more suitable to carry out the mission. Not God! When He has a plan, nothing will derail it. The Lord is able to bring about the right circumstances to accomplish what He desires.

For Jonah, it took a violent storm, being tossed out of a ship and then being swallowed by a giant fish to finally bring him to his senses. He then went and did what God had asked him to do. The Bible contains other examples of unlikely recruits. Moses, whose life was threatened as a baby, who suffered from a speech impediment, yet was chosen to petition Pharaoh so that God’s people could leave Egypt. David, the young shepherd boy who would slay a giant and be chosen as king of Israel. Paul, once a fierce persecutor of Christians who would go on to be the greatest champion of the gospel message, and end up dying for his faith in Christ.

Never underestimate God’s power to transform hearts and lives! He is able to use us, sinful and weak though we may be, mightily for His purposes. We are all ‘unlikely recruits’ in that sense, but thankfully the fulfilment of God’s plans rests on His love, patience, faithfulness and power, not our own worthiness or skill. May we not run away from the call, but joyfully bear the good news of the Lord Jesus Christ in the Spirit’s power.