Let us learn from Jonah. The place of our greatest freedom is in the presence of the Lord…not away from the presence of the Lord.  The safest place for our souls is in our present obedience; disobedience is a sure path to disaster. When we are in the presence of the Lord, He pays the cost for us. When we flee the presence of the Lord, the cost is ours and ours alone. When we rest in the presence of the Lord, our identity is secure, regardless of the circumstances. When we flee the presence of the Lord, we have abandoned our Creator, our people, and our very selves.