I tried, how I tried, to run away.

I heard your call, knew what you were asking me, but ran the other way.

I knew you needed me, but surely there was someone else, another person who could go and do what you were asking of me.  Someone just as qualified as me, if not more.  There were people waiting, needing to hear, but I chose to go a different way.  I just didn’t want to do what you were asking of me.

But despite that, you continued to call.  Your work for me did not change.  My opting out had not made the need go away. You were still willing to call me, equip me, use me.

So I went, did as you asked, followed your call – and the people heard and responded.  How wonderfully you worked, despite my reluctance and disobedience.  You didn’t cast me aside, or the people of Nineveh.  Your word was heard and lives were changed.

Jonah 3:1-5, 10 (GNT)

Jonah Obeys the Lord

3 Once again the Lord spoke to Jonah. ² He said, “Go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to the people the message I have given you.” ³ So Jonah obeyed the Lord and went to Nineveh, a city so large that it took three days to walk through it. ⁴ Jonah started through the city, and after walking a whole day, he proclaimed, “In forty days Nineveh will be destroyed!”

⁵ The people of Nineveh believed God’s message. So they decided that everyone should fast, and all the people, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth to show that they had repented.

¹⁰ God saw what they did; he saw that they had given up their wicked behavior. So he changed his mind and did not punish them as he had said he would.

So, here I am Lord,
reluctant,
unsure,
really rather wanting not to;
but you continue to call me,
to invite me
to share in your work.

Here I am Lord.
Use me
I pray.
Despite my weaknesses
and fear;
may I work with you,
as you work in me;
because there are people
waiting to hear,
waiting to respond
as you long to reach out.