It's interesting in the Old Testament to see Jonah's rejection of Gentiles.  He was greatly angered by God's mercy on the people of Ninevah.  This response provides us insight into his original journey to Tarshish.  From the beginning, Jonah understood the character of God.  Although he had received pardon, he simply didn't want Ninevah to know this mercy, too. That's why he didn't want to go there in the first place.

He says, "I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. Now, O LORD, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live." (Jonah 4:2-3)

This leads me to ask, "Why are we not always faithful in sharing the Gospel (in word and deed) to our community and the world around us?"   In the midst of all the other lame excuses, one possible answer comes to mind.  Is it possible that we simply don't love people enough?  It's one thing to say that we do, but do our hearts really reflect that?

Do we hurt for the hurting?  Are we broken for those that are far from God?  Are we sensitive to the needs around us?  And are we driven to action by these things? 

In Jonah's case, his actions stemmed from a deep-rooted hatred of the Gentiles.  Hopefully, our actions (or lack thereof) aren't a result of hate, but that seems to be the implication.  I can't think of anything much more hateful than sitting silently and apathetically while the world around me needs the love of Jesus.

The goal is not to muster up actions that may or may not demonstrates love.  Instead, it is to have love that naturally results in action. I want more of that.