I am Jonah, prone to flee far away,
Forgetting that You are a God who chooses to stay.
I try to hide in the quiet depths of the roaring sea,
But even in the dark, there, Your eyes see me.

What do I fear? Am I trying to save face?
Or am I more afraid of Your amazing grace?
I try to hoard your kindness as if it were in short supply;
Then, I sell your gift in exchange for a foolish lie.

Yet, even when I sink into a watery grave,
Still, You are there, ready to save.
What seemed like death becomes redemption’s way,
New mercies come with the dawn of another new day.

You put my feet on solid ground once more,
And give me another chance to proclaim all You have in store.
I only have a few words, and I am not sure I mean them all,
Yet, You still work though I stumble, stagger, and fall.

Even when my pride and my anger are quick to ignite,
You are there, ready to extinguish the power of inner spite.
The mercy You have for the Ninevites is also for me,
Both in the scorching sun and in the shade of a tree.

Where can I run? Why have I tried so hard to hide?
Draw me nearer so I may learn to surrender and abide.
I am Jonah, and You have grace on me.
Use my life now so that others may be free.