I've really been thinking about Job lately. It is amazing, I only seem to reflect on Job when everything seems to be falling apart. I guess it isn't really shocking. People always need answers. Even as children, we discover the world by asking questions. We want to understand everything, however the book of Job leaves many questions unanswered. The biggest question is "Why Job?". He was righteous, faithful, and devout. He stood up to his friends and defended God despite his circumstances. My answer, God knew Job was strong enough to handle it. God knows everything and he knew Job would make it through, so He allowed it to happen. The result, God receives the glory, for not only restoring to Job all that was lost but doubling it.
The question most prevalent in our minds as difficulties assault our lives is "Why me?". We live a good life, we serve God, we are continually moving forward in our relationship with Him... so why me? We help with Sunday School, Youth Camp-Outs and ushering... so why me? We give food to the food bank, provide care for a child in a third world country and help those in need... so why me? We do our best to keep the Ten Commandments, love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength, and love our neighbors... so why me?
God is the only one who can answer that question. I can tell you that God brings us through impossible situations so that He will receive the glory. I can tell you that we are not in control of what happens, God is. Satan can only do what God allows him to do.
In Job-like times in our lives, many of us find ourselves surrounded by people trying to give us their perspective. Sometimes it is comforting, other times it can make everything that much more difficult. The disciples are a great example. There were times when they were comforting and other times when they made things more difficult. I believe some friends are witnesses to these difficult times in order that they could see God move in amazing ways.
Right now, I know that God is in control; the God who created me and knit me together in my mother's womb, the God who has loved me and adored me since the first breath of creation, the God who knows my every thought, the God who walks with me every day and watches over me, the God who provides for me, protects me and transforms me into His image more and more each day. This is all I need to know.
The question most prevalent in our minds as difficulties assault our lives is "Why me?". We live a good life, we serve God, we are continually moving forward in our relationship with Him... so why me? We help with Sunday School, Youth Camp-Outs and ushering... so why me? We give food to the food bank, provide care for a child in a third world country and help those in need... so why me? We do our best to keep the Ten Commandments, love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength, and love our neighbors... so why me?
God is the only one who can answer that question. I can tell you that God brings us through impossible situations so that He will receive the glory. I can tell you that we are not in control of what happens, God is. Satan can only do what God allows him to do.
In Job-like times in our lives, many of us find ourselves surrounded by people trying to give us their perspective. Sometimes it is comforting, other times it can make everything that much more difficult. The disciples are a great example. There were times when they were comforting and other times when they made things more difficult. I believe some friends are witnesses to these difficult times in order that they could see God move in amazing ways.
Right now, I know that God is in control; the God who created me and knit me together in my mother's womb, the God who has loved me and adored me since the first breath of creation, the God who knows my every thought, the God who walks with me every day and watches over me, the God who provides for me, protects me and transforms me into His image more and more each day. This is all I need to know.