Oh, to have meaningful conversations that touch eternity?
Here's a man, desperate for God & community & grace & compassion.
His suffering is so great, he just wants God to leave. him. alone. Job 10:20
Not the holy posture toward God we hope to have--- but it is where we all live at times.
"I will argue my ways to His Face." And I can hear the sarcastic arrogance in my own voice.
Here are his friends offering him pat advice: you need wisdom, Job. Maturity! Job 11:6
Why is it we are all so quick to "fix" whatever is wrong. Why can't we rest!
Yet, even in this, Job says "though He slay me, yet I will trust in Him."
It's not a perfect mantra for it's a double rendering, no hope.
He thinks he will die but he will go down trusting!
COME BOLDLY PRAYER:
Father, may we listen to ourselves this day, this trial.
May we fully be present in the pain not just pleasure.
May we see Your Hand humbling our so needy souls.
Help us today to love well, listen well, & suffer well.
"Listen to your life.
See it for the fathomless mystery that it is.
In the boredom and pain of it,
no less than in the excitement and gladness;
touch, taste, smell your way to the holy & hidden heart of it
because in the last analysis all moments are key moments &
Life Itself Is Grace.
Frederick Buechner
PHOTO: Small Group sitting on a dock on the Quarries Bay, Austin Texas. Listening to our lives and what stirs within. What stirred that day for me: being passed over again ... what will I do with that? Though He slay me, I will trust Him.
I think Job confounds many Christians today due to the Western mindset of if I live a good and godly life and have enough faith, bad things will not happen to me along with numerous Christian leaders telling us we can live happily every day.
ReplyDeleteJob was in physical and emotional pain, he thought death was imminent but he trusted the Lord God Almighty.
I pray no matter our circumstances that we trust Him too.
Job's friends did him no favors. No consolation, no hope. No wisdom. Job finally silences them and says he's heard enough.
ReplyDelete"If I speak in tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am but a gong, a clanging cymbal."
Lord, teach us to comfort well with Your Love. Provide Your words in time of need to counsel, to comfort, to console, or simply close our mouths.
It is hard to 'stand-by,' when there is suffering. To give complete control over to the One. But, it has been in those times of rawness - truly relinquishing control to Him with outcome unknown - where I have known the greatest safety, peace and freedom. Why then don't I/we do it more often? I know for me, it usually comes down to a lack of trust and even arrogance: Extending a hand to another while letting go of His. I am somehow deluded into thinking my words will bring order and a timely conclusion to a situation that was never mine to own. I continue to be humbled and astounded, at how knowing my imperfect heart, He loves me anyway!
ReplyDeleteOf course, there are those moments - the Holiest of Holy imparted nuggets: Hope given from grace in just the right words, offering the right comfort at just the right time. (How I love that!) But even there, I am reminded that it is a gift from Him. Not a debt. He owes me nothing.
Lord, help us to lean into Your words first. May we trust You and find rest in your perfect love and plan. May we encourage and comfort others in the same.
Ultimately as there was with Job, there is God - intimately involved with our lives in a way that eludes our grasp. Sovereign control. Any wisdom that does lead to truth comes from Him. For this, I am truly thankful!
Especially in times when it seems we have no answers, I pray we will remember we can boldly trust that He alone is enough.
"Dear Lord,
Help me to see that it is not answers I want; it is you, before whom all questions die away." ~ Ken Gire (The North Face of God).
Dana, SO glad to see your comment here, and thank you for joining us!
DeletePearls,let me introduce Dana. She was my friend and neighbor as a child. She had the cool house where all the kids loved to play. There was always a game of "hotbox" with her sister Karen to be played or a Naugahyde space pillow (the very first bounce house) to jump on, or a kickball game before dusk. Lots of fun memories with the Bowlins!
It is such a joy to reconnect with you and for you to share your heart here--love, love your words today. Especially "extending a hand to another while letting go of His..." that is exactly the problem for me. We don't get how intimately He is working in our lives, as you state, "in a way that eludes our grasp." I join you in praying that we remember we can trust that He is enough!
Dana, SO glad to see your comment here, and thank you for joining us!
DeletePearls,let me introduce Dana. She was my friend and neighbor as a child. She had the cool house where all the kids loved to play. There was always a game of "hotbox" with her sister Karen to be played or a Naugahyde space pillow (the very first bounce house) to jump on, or a kickball game before dusk. Lots of fun memories with the Bowlins!
It is such a joy to reconnect with you and for you to share your heart here--love, love your words today. Especially "extending a hand to another while letting go of His..." that is exactly the problem for me. We don't get how intimately He is working in our lives, as you state, "in a way that eludes our grasp." I join you in praying that we remember we can trust that He is enough!
Thank you Annette for your very sweet intro! What a great and gracious memory you have - Wow! No one talks about 'Space Pillows,' anymore and I had to laugh! As I recall, around our house and neighborhood, All-The-More-The-Merrier, was a recurring theme. It makes my heart happy to hear of your fond recollection!
DeleteCome Boldly arrived in the mail today, and I haven't anticipated a book this much in awhile. I have been a fan of Tozer, (Although yes, hard to read at times), since renewing my walk with the Lord back in San Diego. What a foundation of reverence he laid out in his book, The Attributes of God! I have never looked back. And how I love the writings of C.S. Lewis, which drip with courage when baring his soul. So this book...well, I will drink it up alongside this study.
I very much appreciate already the comments and takeaways in this post - it will be welcome reading in addition to the biblical chronological chapter & verse. Feeling stretched already! Thank you again Annette for your share and thoughtful refreshment in A String of Pearls.
Dana, so touched by your post. Welcome to this little space where precious women find the very words and heart of God. It's a humbled place for all of us. We are humbled! Oh, I loved the Gire quote: "before Whom all questions die away." Oh!!! Thank you so much for your comment. So very nice to meet you. Bev
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