Opinion: Biblical story of Jonah holds relevance for America’s current times

Sometimes when I read the Bible, I can see a parallel between things that happened during biblical times and what is happening in our world today.

For example, at my church we recently finished a study of Jonah. I’m sure many of you are familiar with his story. He was the prophet who was instructed by God to warn the people of a certain country of their evil doings or be destroyed. Apparently, Jonah didn’t agree with God. So, instead of delivering the warning to the people as God instructed, he bought passage on a ship that was going another way. In the bottom of the ship, he found a comfortable place and went to sleep. Surely God would not find him there.

But the eyes of God were watching Jonah, and he found himself caught up in a storm that threatened to break the ship apart.

When it became apparent to Jonah that he was the reason for the storm, he asked to be thrown overboard. And immediately the storm ceased. Jonah found himself in the storm-tossed sea with weeds wrapped around his head. And worse yet, he was swallowed up by a big fish.

The story tells us that Jonah cried out to the Lord from the belly of the fish. So much so that he made the fish sick and it vomited Jonah out onto dry land. After he came to, Jonah went to Nineveh, the capital city of the Assyrian empire, and preached to the people and their king. They all repented, and their city was saved.

What amazes me about this story, every time I read it or hear it preached, is that Jonah actually thought he could hide from God; that he could go someplace where the eyes of God would not find him.

The story of Jonah reminds me of some of the stuff that is going on in our country and the world today. There is killing and hatred and strife on every level and spiritual wickedness in high places. But instead of calling out these acts of evil, it seems that many of our spiritual leaders find a ship and take a nap.

It is because of the action or non-action of some of our spiritual leaders that I believe we are experiencing such a fierce storm throughout the land today. God has charged our spiritual leaders with the job of holding accountable those who hold high offices in our country. They must speak out when our elected officials stray from the path of justice. They must not be afraid to take a firm stand for the truth.

Instead, many seem to look the other way. Some seem to be so caught up in worldly things – their monetary worth, their mega churches, their fine cars and private planes and elaborate mansions – that they have forgotten to warn the people about the consequences of doing evil. Many are not preaching compassion, or how to love one’s neighbor, or how to bring about unity in our communities. It’s about how to accumulate more wealth for themselves.

This column is not about bashing our leaders, in government or in our houses of worship. I’m just trying to stir up their “pure” minds. I hope someone will read this and realize that while America is in trouble, there is still hope.

We don’t need to go backwards. We can clean up our act before it is too late. America needs to keep moving forward. If we work together, we can make America better. Each of us can look around and see what is happening – people being stripped of their homes and livelihoods and some, even their honor. It is causing a great divide. This can’t be good for our country. Something must be done to get us back on the right track.

We have come a long way. But we know that there is still work to be done. There are many good leaders in our government. There are many great spiritual leaders. After all, pastors must eat to live, too. And their families must be provided for. But how many cars does one person need? I fear that too many of our spiritual leaders have fallen by the wayside and have become slaves to the mighty dollar. They are still asleep in the bottom of the boat.

I remember when presidents sought spiritual advice. They understood that it takes more than the majority of votes to lead the country.

There was a time when people went to worship to give their souls a spiritual bath. It is still like that for me. Going to worship is like taking my car to the gas station for a fill-up. And church for me, and the good news I hear while there, is like taking my soul to the filling station.

I believe that many preachers and/or spiritual leaders need a wake-up call. A serious storm has hit America. And many spiritual leaders are trying to sleep through it. They are not letting our secular leaders know that the storm is on the verge of tearing the ship (America) apart. They don’t say anything because many of our so-called spiritual leaders are part of the problem. They are afraid of hurting the feelings of some of their top donors. So, they look the other way, while pieces of our democracy are being torn away as the storm rages on.

I don’t know what it will take for our government leaders and our spiritual leaders to wake up and serve the people that they say God has called them to serve.

But I know this: God is watching.