Building 429 for God

 “My friend Don Walker who I met in Two Thousand Nine; when he was a consultant that came to work with International Paper, to assist with their Supply Chain and Logistics review, posted a video once. Now Don is one of the smartest men I have ever met, and showed me some really cool things you can do with Excel that I still use today. He is a Christian man and that helped, knowing during our time together, it reminds me that God has His people everywhere. The video was a Christian band “Building 429” who played at his old Condo years ago. I love this band and they were telling their story of when they first started out, they traveled America and played over a Hundred shows. One of the shows they played was for Two people, yes you read that right, two and they said they played the same way they always did, because they loved to do it and wanted to be obedient. 

Jonah One says, 

“Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me." But Jonah ROSE TO FLEE to Tarshish FROM the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord.” ‭(ESV‬‬) (Emphasis added)

Jonah heard God, got up, and was obedient, NO! It says that he rose to flee. I find it interesting that it says to flee from the presence of the Lord, which is impossible. Jonah one continues, 

“But the Lord hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship threatened to break up. Then the mariners were afraid, and each CRIED OUT TO HIS god. And they hurled the cargo that was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone down into the inner part of the ship and had lain down and WAS FAST ASLEEP.” (ESV‬‬) (Emphasis added)

God sends a storm and the people on the boat cried out to their small “g” god, but Jonah was fast asleep, what? When we run from God it doesn’t matter what is going on around us, we sleep like a baby in the midst of our sin. We don’t care how it affects or drives people away from God, because we choose to not be obedient. I know, I have been there. People who don’t believe in God, think we just evolved or appeared out of “goo,” but when storms of life come; all of a sudden, pray to their version of a god who really isn’t there, it’s just they have nothing else to turn to. I love what Isaiah says in chapter Forty-nine beginning in verse nine,

“Some people make idols, but THEY ARE WOTH NOTHING. People treasure them, but THEY ARE USELESS. Those people are witnesses for the statues, but those people cannot see. They know nothing, so they will be ashamed. Who made these gods? Who made these useless idols?” (NCV) (Emphasis added)

Psalm  Ninety-six four, five says,

“because the Lord is great; He should be praised at all times. He should be honored more than all the gods, because ALL THE GODS OF THE NATIONS ARE ONLY IDOLS, but the Lord made the heavens.” (NCV) (Emphasis added)

“Building 429” could have told those two people; sorry this is a waste of our time to play for you tonight, we’re leaving, but they played because they loved doing this to share God and their faith. God wants to use us, and by listening, we get to bless people, and be blessed ourselves in the listening. 

When the storms of life hit, we may sleep like a baby because we are ignoring God, but I would rather sleep like a baby because God is our peace, who has broken down every wall. Jonah learned the hard way and reluctantly went after a few more experiences, and when Nineveh repented, he didn’t experience the joy, he tried to justify his running. 

Too many Christians; and churches out there are ready to condemn people whom they deem unreachable, and run from God, rather than to share the gospel with these people He loves. By us being disobedient, instead of leading them to repentance, we actually turn more people away from God than to God. 

So what is God calling you to do today, to play for Two people, to share with one person, to share with your family or friends? Will you run like Jonah or will you listen and be blessed, today more than ever we need more “Building 429” people and less Jonah’s Paul’s reminds us in Romans Ten fifteen

“But before people can ask the Lord for help, they must believe in Him; and before they can believe in Him, THEY MUST HEAR ABOUT HIM; and for them to hear about the Lord, SOMEONE MUST TELL THEM; and before someone can go and tell them, that person must be sent. It is written, “How beautiful is the person who comes to bring good news.” (NCV) (Emphasis added)

We are all sent but not all accept the call to go! Maybe the crowds are too resistant, mean, unloveable, or too small, but it’s not our job to turn ones heart, that all belongs to God. We just be willing to go to Nineveh!” Jose Barajas