The Monday Memo from John Stanko

765: The Jonah Complex

The well-known psychologist, Dr. Abraham Maslov, described a life condition and identified it by using a name from the Bible. What name do you think he used? Moses? Joseph? Jesus? Paul? If you answered any of those, you are wrong. He used the name Jonah and the entire term is called "The Jonah Complex." What did Maslov mean when he referred to "The Jonah Complex?" I'm glad you asked. You will have to read on to find out

RUNNING AWAY

We know that Jonah was an Old Testament prophet and has a short book that relates part of his life story. Jonah was given an assignment by God to go and deliver a harsh message to a city and people he didn't like. He didn't want to do it, so he ran. He got on a ship and went in the opposite direction from which he was told to go.

A storm arose during the trip and it soon became clear to the sailors that Jonah was the cause of the storm. When they threw him overboard, the storm ceased and a whale swallowed Jonah. Jonah then spent three days and nights in the whale's stomach. After Jonah relented and agreed to go on God's mission, the whale spit him out and Jonah went on his way.

Maslov used "The Jonah Complex" to describe anyone who was running from his or her true life calling. He went on to say, "If you deliberately set out to be less than you are capable of, you will never truly be happy." This complex accurately describes the condition of many people with whom I have come in contact. If someone you know suffers from the Jonah Complex, they are avoiding or running from the greatness and creativity that is in them. They are afraid not of failure, but of success.

What is it like to be caught in "The Jonah Complex?" According to my experience, these people spend a lot of time trying to weather the storm. They try to stay on the ship where they are instead of jumping into the waves of life. They tell me they are "praying about it," whatever the "it" is for them. Yet day after day and sometimes year after year goes by and they do nothing.

Their prayer can actually be a delay tactic as they wait for God to do something that only they can do. They may not know what to do, but they don’t seek advice from or listen to someone who could help them get started. They just hold on and hope that somehow things will change even if they don’t do anything to help the change along. Or they are waiting for the “it” to happen all at once, instead of taking faith steps today that will lead them to their destiny.

JUMP SHIP

Are you suffering from "the Jonah Complex?" Are you running from your purpose or from some significant thing that God has for you to do? Is your ship being tossed by the waves of financial lack, unhappiness, and lack of productivity, yet you stubbornly cling to the ship's mast hoping that things will get better? I’ve found that many know their purpose but are afraid for whatever reason to speak it out. Perhaps it’s time for you to face who you are and what God wants you to do. In addition, maybe it’s time for you to take steps to get off your sinking ship and into the purpose of God.

It may look more dangerous "out there," but the only danger lies in you avoiding the great things that God has for you to do. The Chinese say that the longest journey begins with the first step. Maybe it’s time for you to take the first steps this week on an exciting journey—your PurposeQuest. I hope you have a great week.

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KENYA CRISIS: One of our partners is having a true crisis in Kenya after the site of their school and church was ransacked. Please read their reports and then do what you can to help.

The well-known psychologist, Dr. Abraham Maslov, described a life condition and identified it by using a name from the Bible. What name do you think he used? Moses? Joseph? Jesus? Paul? If you answered any of those, you are wrong. He used the name Jonah and the entire term is called "The Jonah Complex." What did Maslov mean when he referred to "The Jonah Complex?" I'm glad you asked. You will have to read on to find out

RUNNING AWAY

We know that Jonah was an Old Testament prophet and has a short book that relates part of his life story. Jonah was given an assignment by God to go and deliver a harsh message to a city and people he didn't like. He didn't want to do it, so he ran. He got on a ship and went in the opposite direction from which he was told to go.

A storm arose during the trip and it soon became clear to the sailors that Jonah was the cause of the storm. When they threw him overboard, the storm ceased and a whale swallowed Jonah. Jonah then spent three days and nights in the whale's stomach. After Jonah relented and agreed to go on God's mission, the whale spit him out and Jonah went on his way.

Maslov used "The Jonah Complex" to describe anyone who was running from his or her true life calling. He went on to say, "If you deliberately set out to be less than you are capable of, you will never truly be happy." This complex accurately describes the condition of many people with whom I have come in contact. If someone you know suffers from the Jonah Complex, they are avoiding or running from the greatness and creativity that is in them. They are afraid not of failure, but of success.

What is it like to be caught in "The Jonah Complex?" According to my experience, these people spend a lot of time trying to weather the storm. They try to stay on the ship where they are instead of jumping into the waves of life. They tell me they are "praying about it," whatever the "it" is for them. Yet day after day and sometimes year after year goes by and they do nothing.

Their prayer can actually be a delay tactic as they wait for God to do something that only they can do. They may not know what to do, but they don’t seek advice from or listen to someone who could help them get started. They just hold on and hope that somehow things will change even if they don’t do anything to help the change along. Or they are waiting for the “it” to happen all at once, instead of taking faith steps today that will lead them to their destiny.

JUMP SHIP

Are you suffering from "the Jonah Complex?" Are you running from your purpose or from some significant thing that God has for you to do? Is your ship being tossed by the waves of financial lack, unhappiness, and lack of productivity, yet you stubbornly cling to the ship's mast hoping that things will get better? I’ve found that many know their purpose but are afraid for whatever reason to speak it out. Perhaps it’s time for you to face who you are and what God wants you to do. In addition, maybe it’s time for you to take steps to get off your sinking ship and into the purpose of God.

It may look more dangerous "out there," but the only danger lies in you avoiding the great things that God has for you to do. The Chinese say that the longest journey begins with the first step. Maybe it’s time for you to take the first steps this week on an exciting journey—your PurposeQuest. I hope you have a great week.

*******

KENYA CRISIS: One of our partners is having a true crisis in Kenya after the site of their school and church was ransacked. Please read their reports and then do what you can to help.

764: I Am an Author

The title of this Memo may seem simple to you, for if you know much about me, you know that I write books - 28 as of last count. Why do I need to declare to you that I am an author, thus stating the obvious. I do that because there was a time that I would not have thought of myself as one, and I want to share the story of how that changed.

If you are a Memo reader, you know I love to travel and have been to 42 countries. When I enter a country, I must fill out the appropriate paperwork to obtain permission to enter, and that often requires that I declare my occupation. I always struggled with that because I was a pastor and, for some countries, that would ensure that I would not be allowed to enter! Therefore, I had to be creative and come up with some title that wasn't a lie, but wasn't complete. I used words like consultant, administrator, instructor, lecturer and businessman.

Then one day, I was filling out the card to enter England, and I put down on the card author. As soon as I wrote that, I had a sense of peace and joy flood my soul. I had never put that down before, but there it was, and I realized I was facing the title or descriptive word that touched me at the deepest level of purpose. When I got to the passport control agent, he looked at my card, looked at me, and then asked, "What kind of books do you write?"

I had encountered many customs agents up to that point in my life, but I had never had one ask me anything about what I did. I happened to have a copy of one of my books with me, so I showed it to him and responded, "Leadership topics and devotional books mostly." He said, "Interesting," and waved me through on to British soil. Ever since that day, I have used the word author any time I was asked what I did.

Now believe me, I would not qualify as an author if you looked at my book sales numbers. Books are almost impossible to sell in bookstores these days, because there are less of them, and their shelf space is occupied with books by authors who have mass audiences or broad appeal. There are millions of books on Amazon, so the chances of someone finding my work there is possible but remote. My point is that I don't take my purpose cues from sales or shelf space, I take my cues from the sense of joy I have when I write. When I write, I feel God's pleasure, and consequently, I am writing more these days than ever before.

There was a time when I complained to the Lord that I wasn't selling many books. As soon as I said that, I felt the response, "Who said you have to sell them?" After that, I began to sow and invest my books into many places and people, most of whom seem to be blessed by their presence. Some of my books are published in other countries, which means I make pennies on every sale, since they are sold in local currencies. That's not the important issue, however, for every one of my books someone reads increases the influence that the purpose message has someplace in the world. Who knows, that one reader could in turn find purpose and go on to touch millions of lives. Finally, the books I have been able to sell have connected me with many wonderful readers, some of whom I have mentored and established solid relationships. I would never have met them if I had not written.

What one word descriptor best summarizes who you are and what you do? Are you hesitant to use it? If so, why is that? Are you not happy with the results you have achieved from that identity? I urge you not to base your decision on results, but on the unseen factor of joy. If the word gives you joy, use it, but then be about the activity that the descriptor represents. Have a blessed week!

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MY LATEST BOOK: Speaking of books, I released my newest book two weeks ago, which is a daily devotional from the book of Psalms called Your Life Matters. It is available in paper or Kindle format.

KENYA UPDATE: Here is the latest update from Kenya,which includes a list of needs at one of the orphanages with which we work. Please read it and then help the children with a contribution, which you can give through my website or by sending a tax-deductible check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 8882, Pittsburgh, PA 15221-0882.

763 - Knowing God's Will

Earlier this year, I fasted for 34 days. I had one purpose in mind, and that was to discover the will of God for my life. I had several options that seemed like they were available to me and that doors were opening. I didn't want any door, but the one(s) that God has prepared for me according to Ephesians 2:8-10:

 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

During this time, I simplified my prayer life to this one thing: "Lord, I will do whatever You want me to do, wherever You want me to do it." I made a commitment to do God's will before I knew what it was, according to the truth that is found in John 7:17. When Jesus was asked how anyone can know God's will, He responded, "Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own."

I have found that when I surrender my "veto" over God's will before I know what it is, then He will, indeed He must, reveal to me what His will is. If anyone chooses to know, he or she will know. If you choose to know, you will know, but you must overcome the fear of what the answer will be. And that's why we can hesitate to pray that all-in prayer.

When we pray "whatever" prayers, that is a serious commitment to trust the Lord, because we don't know what He will say. When you pray, "God, I will do whatever You want," it isn't a very good prayer. It sounds spiritual, but it is couched in fear. The complete and more effective prayer is, "God, I will do whatever you want. What is it?" Do you see the difference? One sounds spiritual but stops short of asking the question. The second is a prayer of faith, for God may reveal that it's time to move on, move out, or move in--and that's scary, no matter how spiritual you are.

How did God answer my prayer? It is still being revealed, but one thing that came clear is that God wants me back in prison ministry! I was deeply involved in that ministry from 1989 to 1993, but I have only dabbled in it since then. This year, I have already been in a prison setting three times, with more invitations coming. That has been a surprise. I am also involved in developing a curriculum to be used in prison settings that helps the inmates move beyond salvation into discipleship in preparation for when they come back home.

The other thing that has become obvious is that I am to help others write and produce their creative projects. Right now, I am involved in about 12 writing projects, plus two of my own. My travels have curtailed, and I find myself writing for hours every day - which is a dream come true! Once I got over my fear of how God would support us, I was free to give myself to work that God brings my way.

By the way, there were some attractive doors that looked promising in January, but they have slammed shut since then. That is the very reason I was praying, so that I would know God's will. Once I found it, however, I must do it, for Jesus said in John 13:17, "Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."

Do you want to know God's will? Then ask Him to show you what it is:

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do (James 1:5-8).

If you want to know God's will, then ask and keep on asking. Thank God for His will before He shows you what it is, and be prepared for some changes once He shows you what to do. The most difficult part of doing God's will can be finding it, for it is in that stage that you confront your fears. Once you do that, there is an exciting journey ahead that will fulfill your heart's desires, but only if you commit to the process before you know what it is exactly. Have a blessed week.

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MY NEW BOOK: I published my latest book this past week, which is a daily devotional from the book of Psalms called Your Life Matters. It is available in paper or Kindle format.

KENYA UPDATE: Here is the latest update from Kenya, including some pictures of the children we help feed. Please read it and then help the children with a contribution, which you can give through my website or by sending a tax-deductible check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 8882, Pittsburgh, PA 15221-0882.

762 - Self Interest is the Best Interest to Have

Every now and then someone asks whether or not it is selfish to pursue purpose. In fact, someone asked me this past week. They may ask where the cross of Christ comes in when you are doing something that you love doing. Many people still feel that God will give you an assignment that you hate doing and that is somehow more spiritual than doing something you enjoy. My answer to those who ask those questions is that self-interest is the best interest to have and follow where purpose is concerned. Before you tune me out, let me explain.

YOUR DESIRES

First, let’s look at Acts 13:2: “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’” When God assigns you a purpose, He is really doing something for Himself, in His own interests. When God calls you to a purpose, that purpose actually brings you closer to Him. Pursuing your purpose then, which always gives you joy and peace, is not something you do for yourself. It is something you do for God.

Then, let’s look at Psalm 37:4: “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.”  If you will delight yourself in the Lord, then God will grant you the desires of your heart. Why? He will do so because He put those desires there in the first place to help guide you to your purpose! When you pursue your God-given desires, which may seem like self-interest, you are actually pursuing the things of God. God uses your joyful desires to indicate that you are doing something right, not something wrong.

And finally, let’s once again look at Proverbs 16:3 in the Amplified Version (I know we looked at this verse many times before, but it bears repeating): “Roll your works upon the Lord—commit and trust them wholly to Him—and He will cause your thoughts to be in agreement with His will, and so shall your plans be established and succeed.” You may have been taught to distrust your thoughts and desires, but I am urging you to pay attention to them if you are serious about finding your purpose. If the Spirit lives in you to give you the mind of Christ, why are so surprised that you have it?

AT THE CROSS, AT THE CROSS, WHERE I FIRST SAW THE LIGHT. . .

Where does the cross come into the picture, you may ask? The cross does not require that you deny who you are, but the cross does require that you allow God to determine where and when you express your purpose.  Church work has never been my favorite place to fulfill my purpose of creating order out of chaos, but it is the very place where I am most effective. I therefore submit to God’s will for who I am and where I am most effective. To deny my purpose would deny me the power and joy I need to pick up my cross daily and follow Him as I carry out His will.

Now you know why I say that self-interest is really the best interest where purpose is concerned. Don’t deny who you are, but then don’t try to choose the sphere where God wants you to give yourself. I pray that God will grant you the desires of your heart this week as you pick up your cross to follow Jesus. Have a great week!