Life Lessons from Job
Good morning my loves! I know I know; I haven’t written in a while. Since December 31, 2021 to be exact. That gives you some insight into what 2022 was like for me. I’ll share my personal challenges in 2022 in another blog post and how my Big G took me safely through it all, as he always does.
Today though, we launch properly into 2023! New year, new me, as they say. I’m excited this year for our journey in life, love and faith. I’m excited about what God has in store for us. I already see how he’s using me in unexpected situations.
On January 1st, I started my re-read of the bible beginning from Genesis, but the plan I’m on skips ahead to Job as the second book (apparently some biblical historiographers said this is the chronologically correct arrangement). Regardless, I learned some very important lessons about my place in the world from the book of Job. Chief amongst them that I am smaller and not as impressive in the grand scheme of God’s creation as my pride makes me think. Nevertheless, God in creating you and me chose to elevate us by creating us in His image specifically to love him and serve him and one another faithfully on earth to the very end. It is my identity in God that elevates me not what I think of myself.
Let me take you back to the book of Job. Job cried out to God when he was afflicted with sickness and his entire family was murdered (Job 10). He tabled all the ways he had been faithful and had done right by God, and asked God why he was being punished so much (Job 31). He had not grievously sinned, he contended. His friends contended otherwise and told him that he was a sinner in some way and he should keep quiet and beg God for forgiveness. The advice of Job’s “friends” seems appealing at first because church doctrine often focuses on repentance from sin as the path to redemption. We have heard this before so our brain at first may not recognize what is wrong with what the “friends” are saying. But NO! They were wrong and sometimes the church leaders are plain wrong. They condemned Job without wisdom. Their advice did not come from the Holy Spirit but their misguided understanding of the character of God. We cannot always draw a cause and effect between our actions and events that happen in our lives. Sometimes, as was the case here, God is battling principalities and evil and that has nothing to do with our actions.
God permitting something difficult to happen to us is the part of humanity’s interaction with God that most people struggle with. I certainly do. Why would God let this happen to me, to my husband, to my mother, to my boyfriend, to my girlfriend etc ? But you know, even if God explained to us (which he does not need to because this is what faith means) would we understand? Would we trust He has things under control? Could we comprehend the magnitude of what it takes for Him to sustain creation?
God responded to Job’s queries about God’s goodness by pointing out some of his most complex creation : the ocean and all the mechanics to keep it from enveloping land; the curtain of the sky which holds back rain until it is time to pour; the anchors fastening the earth’s foundation; creatures like the scary Leviathan and the courageous horse in battle (Job 38-41). When you stop to think about how in form, size and magnificence, you and I are quite small, we should be humbled. I certainly am.
God CHOSE you to be part of this wonderful world and to do His will. Sometimes His will is for us to exercise dominion over aspects of creation using the power he has delegated to us. Other times, His will is for us to watch, pray and root for Him from the sidelines as he puts the devil in his place. How will we know what His will is? The Holy Spirit. A discerning and wise spirit bestowed on us by God and powered by prayer. Ask for a double portion of the Holy Spirit everyday and pray for discernment of God’s will for you in all that you do.
Have a blessed week ahead and here’s some music I’ve had on repeat (Grace Tena is too good!)
