The book of Jonah begins with four simple words: "And it came to pass."

That is an unusual way to open a book. It gives the sense that we are picking up in the middle of something already underway — a story that began before this moment and will continue long after it.

Which is exactly right. The story of God reaching toward human beings, calling us by name, pursuing us even when we run — that story did not begin with Jonah. It is as old as the first garden. Jonah is just one chapter in a much longer narrative.

And so are we.

"And it came to pass, the word of the Lord came to Jonah." The ancient Hebrew phrasing reminds us that this is not Jonah's story alone. The word of the Lord comes — to Jonah, yes, but also to every human being God has made and loved and refused to give up on.

It comes in the middle of ordinary life. Not when we have ourselves sorted out or our faith figured out. Not when we have finally become the person we keep meaning to become. It comes in the middle of whatever is actually happening — the mess, the uncertainty, the running, the reluctant turning back.

The word of the Lord came to Jonah. It has come to you, in one form or another, more than once. The question the book of Jonah puts before every reader is the same one it put before him:

How will you respond?

Prayer: Holy god, your word keeps finding us — in the middle of our ordinary days, in the middle of our running, in the middle of our uncertainty. Give us ears to hear it. Give us the courage to respond. We are mid-story, and the ending is not yet written. We trust you with it; through Jesus Christ. Amen.

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