“Throw me into the sea,” Jonah said, “and it will become calm again. I know that this terrible storm is all my fault.” Instead, the sailors rowed even harder to get the ship to the land. But the stormy sea was too violent for them, and they couldn’t make it. Then they cried out to the LORD, Jonah’s God. “O LORD,” they pleaded, “don’t make us die for this man’s sin. And don’t hold us responsible for his death. O LORD, you have sent this storm upon him for your own good reasons.” Then the sailors picked Jonah up and threw him into the raging sea, and the storm stopped at once! (‭Jonah‬ ‭1‬:‭12-15‬ NLT)

Sometimes there are people in our lives that we care about and we want to protect and save. Some we’ve known our whole lives (parents, siblings, friends). Some we’ve known only recently (colleagues, neighbors). And as much as we’d like to save them ourselves, truth is we can’t. We can’t save a single person for eternity. Only Jesus can. Yet, we often try to intervene and just row harder. 

I live the example of the new acquaintances in this story. Upon hearing that Jonah is on the run and in trouble they try to help and row harder. Granted, some of their effort was likely an attempt to save their own skin in this story.  Can’t blame them. But ultimately their efforts were in vain.

Their only option was to turn to God and pray for his Grace. And while they were focused on their own skin, the practice of turning to God is critical. We can’t row our friends and family out of their trouble with God. Everyone is to give their own accounting to The Lord.

Yes we come along side and bear each others burdens. Help and serve. Love and encourage. Share and support. But ultimately…we’ve got to recognize that God is the one pursuing them. Even with storms and adversity and trials. And sometimes the best thing we can do is turn to God, plead for his grace in their lives, and let them go into Gods care.

Throwing Jonah into the sea was a huge act of faith on everyone’s part. I’m not sure it was done it great faith but in a fearful, last ditch effort faith that was hoping for the best and prepared for the worst.

The incredible thing is God caught the one they released. The storm ceased. The seas calmed. Jonah was entrusted to the belly of a whale and the sailors who had tried to row so hard…they too experienced God.

The sailors were awestruck by the LORD’s great power, and they offered him a sacrifice and vowed to serve him. (‭Jonah‬ ‭1‬:‭16‬ NLT)

Who are you rowing harder for that God wants you to trust to him? Even in a terrifying storm, Gods grace is waiting.