Fulfilling Purpose and Destiny: Jonah's Experience

By Sunny O. Aibuki

Realisation of dreams and desires can be cut short by fear to succeed especially when optimism and the expectations are highly anticipated. At this level, it becomes difficult to compromise success in any shape, form or size. The desire of every man is to be successful and not fail at any of the challenges life throws at him; hoping for positive results as he carries on until he becomes what he desires in life. However, have you ever wondered why so many fail in their task and thus underachieve? Can you quantify how much of an effort is required to measure up or to attain success?

The story of Jonah tells of his calling, how he relinquished his task and purpose in life to run a needless cause despite being told what he needed to do. His personal preference overshadowed his assignment and his punishment was instigated by his reluctant heart to complete this task unenthusiastically.

This book is used to mirror our daily life struggles in resemblance to a genuine state of the heart of a man called Jonah during his troubled times. Jonahs initial refusal did not prohibit him from Gods service; rather God tracked him down and used this unwilling prophet to change the heart of the people that lived in a great city called Nineveh.

Also, the connection between the old prophecies and the present day Nineveh located in northern Iraq of today is explicitly evaluated in relation to todays happenings.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris UK
• Release date: Apr 29, 2016
• ISBN: 9781514465806

Sunny O. Aibuki

Sunny O. Aibuki is a young and diligent Christian with great inspiration to dissect Bible stories, parables, and mysteries. He weighs these stories through daily application of life experiences to make known the revelation behind this conundrum. He serves as a worker in his local church and is happily married and with a family. This is his second book among many series to come.

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Copyright © 2016 by Sunny O. Aibuki.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 04/27/2016

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CONTENTS

Preface

Review

Dedication

Acknowledgement

Foreword

Chapter I:   Unchanged Reality

Chapter II:   Jonah’s Commission

Chapter III:   Blustery Flight

Chapter IV:   Sailing Experience

Chapter V:   Three Days Of Wonders

Chapter VI:   Jonah’s Second Commission

Chapter VII:   Jonah’s Obscurities

Chapter VIII:   Nineveh Of Today

Chapter IX:   Pathway Of Escape

PREFACE

Creation is not all about existence but surviving and existing in the fullness of aspiration to accomplish a purpose and a task without feeling guilty or wanting to look back. If life has been fair to you, count yourself privileged!

It is not what we want, need, achieve or desire that makes us complete or brings about life accomplishment, but what God has designed for us to be fulfilled with, even when it becomes less interesting we still find fulfilment to carry on without being bored or weary.

It is very easy to blame other people for our failures especially when our effort does not outweigh the desired result. Reality and complaint may begin to set in gradually while our thinking becomes beclouded, wondering where things went wrong and how on earth it was not spotted and corrected on time before the barrage of being labelled a failure . A three-year span success put together can be a daily achievement for someone else who sees this as nothing but a daily routine of doing things rightly and achieving a great result as it were. What do I mean? The task you struggle with can be a child’s play to another individual or group of people.

Success is immeasurable because it has no end. Your end point of success can be someone else’s beginning. What you call success can be a problem identified by someone else. Life is all about identifying who you are, what your strengths and weaknesses are and how to harness these weaknesses to becoming your strength. Until you begin to identify your true self you might be running someone else’s race. Ask questions; who am I, what is my purpose and assignment on this earth, what are the achievements I am meant to fulfil in life, and how can I become better each day? Daily striving without God’s purpose and involvement can truly be a busy time without momentum.

FULFILLING PURPOSE AND DESTINY -A total reflection of Jonah’s voyage experience, using this story as a yardstick to comprehend where you stand, what to do and how to sustain and fulfil purpose in life.

REVIEW

As you read this book on Jonah’s experience, remember that you will learn from it even if the experience may come from a different circumstance, life scenario or path than your own. There are lessons for everyone!

In fact, I am absolutely convinced that you will learn more by deeply reflecting on this experience and looking at how you can apply the lessons towards avoiding such pitfalls.

The bible tells us that we were created for a purpose and I believe that to just exist is a waste of days. When we do not run God’s plans for our lives outside His protective umbrella, we may just expose ourselves to defeat, hardship and even attack.

I have heard several people say that experience is the best teacher. I disagree with this premise especially when the experience is not reflected upon. From personal experience, I have heard of and seen people that have repeatedly made the same mistake over time without learning anything from it. Experience is what happened to us, but for it to teach us anything, we have to evaluate it.

The author, in this book, has succinctly explored the state of Jonah’s heart during troubled times. The key lesson is that our insubordination most times do not prohibit us from God`s service, rather God tracks us down and He is ever ready to use us to fulfil His purpose. What is stopping you from going on that voyage that God has destined you to?

As you read this book kindly ponder on the old Nineveh, our present world, and events happening around us. Are we closer to the end times than some of us will want to believe?

My advice to you is to please get a pen and enjoy this book! He who God calls, He qualifies. Don’t remain aloof with God, irrespective of your circumstances or what you have done. Others may perceive you as a poor fit, and withhold their support, God will never do that if only you yield to him.

– HENRY AKPAN (Motivational Speaker & Life Coach)

DEDICATION

I am highly indebted to GOD ALMIGHTY the giver of life, the King who is, and who was, and who is to come – THE OVERWHELMING GOD- for His guidance and inspiration. Glory be to His Holy name.

This project would not have been possible without the support of my beautiful wife; Abosede Adebunmi Aibuki and my wonderful son Nathan Aibuki for all their encouragement, patience and perseverance.

God bless you guys

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I will like to express my special gratitude and thanks to Pastor Olajide &Pastor Mrs Omolara Akinniran and the entire congregational members of the RCCG Life Oasis Centre, Hayes for their support and acceptance, and to all the departmental heads and congregational members I say thank you and God bless you.

I will like to express my gratitude towards the entire Frays Team; Annia Marowa, Stephanie Odulaja, Mandy Madeira, Joy Masiyambiri, Rowena Nkoloma, Moazam Ali-Khan, Adrian Smith and Wealth Omolumhen.

My thanks and appreciations also go to my siblings; Morenike Moses, Olajumoke Olawoye, Olayinka and Olufemi and Olufunso Aibuki, Ibiyemi Jeremiah, Ibiwale and Ibitayo Odusegun, Femi, Bimpe, Tobi and Funmi Olagoroye. Angel, Eve and Sammy Aibuki.

I have taken efforts in this project. However, it would not have been possible without the kind support and help of my good Friends; Oluwashina Ogunlaja, Olanrewaju Keshinro, Oluwaseun Osindero, Bose Ariyo, Mathew Igbaifua and Iyabosola Miedzianowska for all your encouragements. Tominiyi Tawose and Olukemi Oketope for helping with materials.

To these wonderful families, you have been an inspiration to me: Mr & Mrs Eddie Ogunbor, Mr& Mrs Aniefiok Thomas, Mr& Mrs Steve Owuade. And to all the Sunday School Family, Multimedia, Drama Team, Men’s Forum, publicity committee and the choir group. I say thank you all. God bless you and enlarge your coast.

Many thanks and gratitude also go to my colleague, friends, sisters and brothers in the Lord who have inspired me directly and indirectly without their knowledge, I wish I could mention everyone’s name in this project, I say thank you all God will reward your effort openly.

FOREWORD

This book is a must read for anyone struggling with obedience to fulfilling divine call to a life of service. This book will definitely give you the needed courage and impetus to begin the journey to a life of significance culminating in fulfilling purpose and destiny. Maybe you are asking the question why me and not somebody else? Whilst you may wish a purpose away in the face of challenges if that is what you are created or destined for, it will never go away; the Lords counsel must come to pass in your life irrespective of the plans in your heart (Proverbs 19:21).

For these reasons, I strongly recommend this book to all and sundry.

Olajide Akinniran

RCCG Life Oasis

London

CHAPTER I

UNCHANGED REALITY

The Bible is the most comprehensive, compact and all-encompassing book ever written by man through God’s inspiration to reveal His purpose, and to strengthen His relationship in order to maintain cordial fellowship with man towards eternal life after death. There is no other book given to man like the Bible. No book has had a steady history of popularity among men and women such as the Bible, no book has been printed, read and translated into so many languages, and talked about like the Bible. It is a conscience checker and it is still transforming life to date.

The Bible is not attempting to prove the existence of God, but rather it is a revelation of God’s purpose and plan for the world and human race a little at a time. Many books you must have read or come across in the past would have probably increased your informed knowledge one way or the other, but the Bible is different, it is a book of transformation needful to remain spiritually inclined with God, to connect with purpose and live a rewarding life altogether. The Bible is the foundation of the basic doctrine of faith, infallible source of truth from God in such that everything we believe and teach concerning the Christian life is grounded firmly in the Word of God. The Bible showcases God’s revelation to man about the history of redemption and