23 : opportunities

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...

— Jonah 1:1-3

Jonah’s story is one of avoidance. Faced with a daunting task, Jonah flees in the opposite direction, attempting to escape the mission he has been given. But no matter how far he runs, he cannot outrun his calling. His avoidance only worsens his situation, leading him into the belly of the whale — a symbol of being trapped within the darkness of his own fear. It is only after Jonah faces his reluctance and surrenders to his purpose that he is released, both from the whale and from his internal conflict.

In Jungian terms, Jonah’s reluctance represents the ego’s resistance to the Self’s higher calling. We often encounter similar moments of resistance when faced with the challenges of growth or the responsibilities we carry in this life. We may avoid our true purpose out of fear, self-doubt, or the overwhelming nature of the task at hand. Yet, this avoidance often deepens our sense of discomfort, pulling us further into the depths of our own unconscious, much like Jonah’s descent into the whale. The call of the Self is not something we can ignore forever — it demands to be answered.

The painting Jonah and the Whale by Pieter Mulier the Younger [or Carlo Antonio Tavella?] captures the moment of Jonah’s entrapment, symbolizing the inevitable consequence of avoidance. The stormy seas and the looming whale reflect the chaos that ensues when we run from our purpose. Jonah’s journey is a reminder that no matter how frightening the path may seem, accepting our calling is essential for growth and inner peace.

In life, we all have a job to do — a mission or calling that we cannot ignore without causing internal strife. Avoiding it only creates more obstacles, but when we face it with courage, we find the strength and clarity we need to move forward.

ps > just a thought : what if you were offered

a scholarship, or the best job offer,

or a place in that space

you have been dreaming about for some time...

Would you be scared?

Would you be afraid if your dreams finally came true?

Journaling Prompt: Reflect on a time when you avoided a challenge or calling in your life. How did this avoidance affect you? What would it mean for you to fully embrace your purpose, despite the fear or uncertainty that comes with it?

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