It was the Sound of God that I heard 8 years ago 1/13/2006. Never have I ever been more persuaded and convinced by a very Good God Who allowed some suffering in my life that has turned into way more good than I could have ever imagined. Look at where I am today. That Big Great Divide was the best thing that ever happened to me. At the time, I literally thought it to be the worst. And I spiraled down into a depression that I never knew even existed. And my God showed up in my life like never before. When I told Beth Moore at a conference what had happened, she replied to me: Ezekiel 8:3. God has yanked you by the head of your hair and lifted you up. Go. And everywhere I turned, people would share with me Jonah 2:8. I'd turn the radio on and they would be talking about it. I'd go to church and it would be in the sermon. Listen to the Sounds of God.
Elihu asks Job an interesting question in Job 35:3---how are you better off than if you had sinned? Your righteous cries are empty. If we are so good, do we need God? Keep listening for the Thunder of His Voice, Job. Job 37:3. Job is listening but he doesn't hear---and he needs to ask himself why he is not hearing the Sound of God. We all need to ask ourselves today do we hear the Sound of God in our lives? Elihu is about to hear That Thunder too.
"It is no surprise that the Bible uses hearing, not seeing, as the predominant image for the way human beings know God. They can't walk around God and take God in like a cathedral or an artichoke. They can only listen to time for the Sound of God---to the good times and bad times of their own lives for the words God is addressing to, of all people, them." Frederick Buechner
PHOTO: Amtrak train tracks by The Domain in Austin, Texas. Walked these tracks thinking about the "Great Divide" in my life. May I be more concerned about walking the tracks of life in wisdom and understanding than resolution of my problems.
I think back almost 5 years ago to the end of a long journey with my father as he was hospitalized and ultimately died due to 2 errors doctors made. The very day he died, as I sat in the waiting room, I was reading this passage of Job and recording my thoughts in a journal. I was so thankful though I did not understand God's will through out the ordeal, I knew He was with us and never left us.
ReplyDeleteWasn't God good to bring you Job at that time when your dad's suffering was at the hands of doctors. And to feel His palpable Presence at times like these is such a gift. And yes--sometimes it is a gift not to understand. Oh, that we would know and accept this.
DeleteThe Palpable Presence!
DeleteSome days as I read through the passages I am totally not comprehending. I'm thinking about a zillion other things while I'm reading! This was one of those days. I just heard some tragic news late last night about my ex-nephew (Is there such a thing when it comes to family?). To say he is in need for a miracle is an understatement. At this point, my prayer might be different than a lot of others. I feel so badly for the youth these days. They have absolutely no hope and think there is no other choice when things get bad than to take their own lives. Lord, give this family comfort and peace and please do something to reunite and restore families everywhere. Wrap Your arms around them today more tightly than they've ever felt before. In Jesus' name. Amen.
ReplyDeleteOh Angie. I'm so sorry. Joining you in prayer for this family, for families everywhere for Jesus to wrap them in comfort and love.
DeleteAng, I am so sorry. Please e-mail the names of the people you want lifted up in prayer. xoxo Annette H
DeleteAngie, praying for the family. And the young man's friends. Life seems to be so hard these days and for those with out God in their hearts I think it is so much harder. We do have a hope,,,,they are without hope. Praying.
DeleteThank you, girls! I'm not afraid to put their names here for the whole world to see. Please pray for his mom, Lisa; his dad, Dan; his one and only sister, Katlin. Please also pray for my kids, Meghan and John; their cousins, Alex and Christian, and their Granny. Oh, and Tim, Gail, Bronwyn and David... Oh, and obviously Sam and his friends. Again, thank you!
DeleteThere is something, Someone, so tender about your desires for hope for youth. I am surrounded by youth every day of my life. I join you with a heavy heart for those struggling in their young lives.
DeleteWhy does it seem to take something drastic, some suffering, for me to turn to the Lord with my full attention? Job was tested and Job came through refined by the fire of the testing. He was humbled. He was empathetic. He had known and would not forget the heights and depths of his life, his despair, his false sense of self righteousness. He was tossed about by the devil and God used it to purify his heart.
ReplyDeleteLord, I ask for wisdom to fear You appropriately when times are good and when times are bad. You hold all our days in Your Hand. Keep us from falling. Keep us safe. Our refuge is found in You. Our next breath comes from You. Thank You for not abandoning me, for walking through this unsorted mess with me. Especially when we can't make sense of our challenges, reveal Who You are to us again that we might close our mouths in awe, and know fresh that You are God.
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ReplyDeleteDrastic and or distaster brings us close to Him once more....I want to stay close always not matter what.
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