--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Like the prophet Jonas, whom God ordered…" description: "\"“Like the prophet Jonas, whom God ordered to go to Nineveh, I found myself with an almost uncontrollable desire to go in the opposite direction. God po..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/370/thomas-merton-231_destiny_like-the-prophet-jonas-whom-god-ordered_2518022.jpg" --- # Like the prophet Jonas, whom God ordered to go to Nineveh… ![“Like the prophet Jonas, whom God ordered to go to Nineveh, I found myself with an almost uncontrollable desire to go in the opposite direction. God pointed one way and all my "ideals" pointed in the other. It was when Jonas was traveling as fast as he could away from Nineveh, toward Tharsis, that…” quote by Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/370/thomas-merton-231_destiny_like-the-prophet-jonas-whom-god-ordered_2518022.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/370/thomas-merton-231_destiny_like-the-prophet-jonas-whom-god-ordered_2518022.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/370/thomas-merton-231_destiny_like-the-prophet-jonas-whom-god-ordered_2518022.jpg) > ““Like the prophet Jonas, whom God ordered to go to Nineveh, I found myself with an almost uncontrollable desire to go in the opposite direction. God pointed one way and all my "ideals" pointed in the other. It was when Jonas was traveling as fast as he could away from Nineveh, toward Tharsis, that he was thrown overboard, and swallowed by a whale who took him where God wanted him to go...But I feel that my own life is especially sealed with this great sign, which baptism and monastic profession and priestly ordination have burned into the roots of my being, because like Jonas himself I find myself traveling toward my destiny in the belly of a paradox.”” [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A spiritual journey can feel like a paradox, where divine direction conflicts with personal aspirations, yet the struggle leads to deeper purpose. **In simple terms:** Divine call vs. personal desire creates tension. Key Takeaway Embrace paradox to discover true vocation. Themes spirituality conflict purpose Mood contemplative hopeful Type theological inspirational When to use this quote - religious life - career decisions - inner conflict Key Concepts paradox divine guidance personal vocation Questions to Reflect On - What inner paradox guides your path? - How can you align personal goals with perceived divine purpose? A Different Perspective Resolution may require surrendering personal ambitions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Destiny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destiny/) [Sprituality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sprituality/) ## Related quotes > [The Bible is the best and most important tool in discerning direction from God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-groeschel/the-bible-is-the-best-and-most-important-tool-in-discerning-direction/) [Craig Groeschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-groeschel/) > [When something goes wrong, what's the best course of action? To change your direction. 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These children end up with you and you end up with them. It's something quite magical.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-kidman/somehow-destiny-comes-into-play-these-children-end-up-with-you-and/) [Nicole Kidman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-kidman/) > [“In that instant it all seemed to come clear to him- it came in a grisly flash of light, and he realized that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/in-that-instant-it-all-seemed-to-come-clear-to-him-it-came-in-a/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [“Destiny is the ordained intention God has sacredly prepared with your name on it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-s-lynch/destiny-is-the-ordained-intention-god-has-sacredly-prepared-with-your/) [John S. 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