Book Review: Journeying with Jonah by Dennis McBride

The Struggle to Find Yourself

Journeying with Jonah is an exploration of the biblical character - Jonah – an unlikely hero.

You may read the book of Jonah in the Bible and think to yourself, “I am nothing like him” - but I believe at times, we can all see ourselves in Jonah.

Jonah believes in God but struggles to accept some of the choices He makes – why would God have mercy on the people of Nineveh – a city of sinners.

Jonah cannot accept God’s mercy and flees from His presence when he is asked to go to Nineveh. However, despite Jonah’s disobedience, God is not angry with him – He shows him mercy.

The story of Jonah celebrates the beauty of the indiscriminate mercy of God, a message we all need to hear.

Dennis McBride brings us the story of Jonah in a very clear way and the book is easy to follow and shows us just how Jonah struggles with the task God gave him. Although Jonah is a prophet, McBride brings across the human side of him as well.

As well as being a commentary on the human condition, this book is helpful to everyone but especially to those who are struggling to discern their vocation and afraid of the consequences of saying ‘Yes’ to God.