The geographic cure

A friend, a recovering alcoholic, introduced me to the phrase - "the geographic cure." He told me it was a familiar phrase at AA meetings. When a drunk has burned everybody in town and used up all his options, he starts to believe that the solution to his problem is a new town - somewhere, anywhere, else. When I heard the phrase I realized that many of us are afflicted with this deception- convinced that a new job, another church, a start on life in another state, a new lover; will bring us happiness. But here is the flaw in that line of thought - when you get there, you are still there! Unless we deal with ourselves, until we do the work of change, allowing God to transform our mind and our actions, we will just recreate the same set of difficulties at each stop along life's road.

An ancient prophet, Jonah, decided on the geographic cure! The little book that tells his story starts with these words. "The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me." But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD." (Jonah 1:1-3, NIV) Imagine thinking that you could outrun the Spirit of God, but Jonah did and so do many people to this day! The Bible does not tell us why he did not want to obey God's will. Perhaps it was common fear. Going to preach in Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian empire, was a terror-filled proposition. The Assyrians were a cruel and powerful people. They were conquering nations all over the region by killing anybody who stood in their way. Then, too, it might be that Jonah did not want to even create the possibility for the Assyrians to come to know God. It may well be that he wanted them to been destroyed by God's wrath!

Whatever his reasons, Jonah decided that he would go in the opposite direction, as far from Nineveh as possible. Perhaps he thought, "I can preach to the people of Tarshish just as well as the people of Nineveh. Their spiritual need is just as great." But God wanted him in Nineveh! The Lord pursued him onto the ocean, caught up with him in the belly of a great fish, and brought about a change of mind over a period of three days.

Are you tempted by the sin of Jonah?
Does the way God has led you fill you with fear or dread so that you desire to run for someplace new?

David, penned this song. "I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! ... If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me." (Psalm 139: 7, 9-10, NLT) For those who are pursuing God and His will, that is a wonderful promise. "The Lord will be with me - everywhere, all the time!" For those who are trying to run away, that is a terrible threat!

Choose obedience now. Let God minister to you. His power and presence are no more real or near anywhere in the world than right where you are, right now! Center yourself in God's will. Stop reading the travel brochures that paint all those pretty pictures of some other place, some new situation. Pray for God's grace to steady you, to develop you, right where you are. Let God's Word and Spirit transform you as you follow His lead, instead of thinking that the solution is to chase the mirage that lies on the horizon. If you're tempted to run away - just pray, "Lord, keep me from the sin of Jonah. Steady me, Lord."

Here's a word from the Word to ponder. It comes from a time soon after the Israelites had left Egypt in the Exodus. God had shown Himself mighty on their behalf and brought about their deliverance. Then as they camped in the desert, scouts saw the Egyptian army approaching on the horizon. They were afraid, tempted to scatter, but Moses gave them this counsel. Let it speak to your heart today.

"Do not be afraid.
Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today.
For the Egyptians whom you see today,
you shall see again no more forever.

The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace."

(Exodus 14:13-14, NKJV)
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Stand still and see His glory;
Watch as His mysteries unfold.
Bask in the sweetness of pure Living Waters,
Refreshing, reviving the soul.

All hail His infinite wisdom!
None is so mighty as He.
Master, Creator of all things enduring,
None else is so precious to me.

Stand Still and See His Glory, D. Rambo © 1977 John T. Benson Publishing Company (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc., 741 Coolsprings Blvd., Franklin TN 37067) / CCLI License No. 810055