Monday's Blessing
Job 38: 1-2,4
"Then the Lord answered Job out of the storm. He said: Who is this that darkens my counsel with words witthout knowledge? Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand."
There are times when life just plain sucks. It seems on these days things come in huge tsunami waves waiting to threaten our very existence. No matter where you turn there is yet another storm forcing you to veer off smooth waters into the tempest.
Just last week when my classroom was beginning to feel the effects of becoming a well-oiled machine, I was blessed with four new at-risk students waiting on redemption for whatever past behaviors prohibited them from doing so. I began to resort to behavioral modifications I left happily at the onset of the year thinking they won't be needed any longer. The dynamics of my classroom had changed in only a few short hours, and I was left speechless as I recounted trying to gain steady footage once more. Later on that week, my car frequently stalled requesting more maintenance on an unpaid bill that must be compensated before future repairs can be made. Furthermore, it is the only vehicle on the premises! To REALLY top things off, at the end of the week, my vitamin manufacture no longer offers a much needed personal supplement. It has been on backorder for over a month now. Sadly, I am unable to order this product and have just run out. I have extreme sensitivities to foods, supplements, and medicines so getting adjusted to a new regime can take weeks of pain and anguish.
So, at this point in time, I can completely understand what Job was trying to say to God in that Bible verse. Jobs question of "Why?" rose from his loss of everything. He lost is wealth, health, and family. All that was ever blessed in his life was wiped out by disaster. He had no clue that another level of reality, cosmic dynamics were at work. All he could comprehend was that he had gone from a position of great blessings and privilege to sitting in an ashen heap grieving the loss of his children. This prompted his cry to God, "Why me, God?"
God's response was quick. He wanted Job to know he didn't have the ability to comprehend either the question he asked or the answer he was hoping for. Later on in the conversation Job admitted, "I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know." That answer to Job's question of "Why?" is sometimes, "I don't know." Hence, we must trust God. What else do we have? Worry? Contempt? Where will that get us if we continue down that path?
But there are times you will question "Why me?" There is nothing wrong with asking that. There is nothing wrong with wanting to know why. Just realize sometimes God will show you the answer, and sometimes the answer may be "not yet." But with trust, we can assume God will guide us out of that pain.
Father, in this crazy world things happen
that are not always understood.
I am grateful when you help me understand
why. Give me the ability to trust in you when
the answer is not as clear. Amen.
Job 38: 1-2,4
"Then the Lord answered Job out of the storm. He said: Who is this that darkens my counsel with words witthout knowledge? Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand."
There are times when life just plain sucks. It seems on these days things come in huge tsunami waves waiting to threaten our very existence. No matter where you turn there is yet another storm forcing you to veer off smooth waters into the tempest.
Just last week when my classroom was beginning to feel the effects of becoming a well-oiled machine, I was blessed with four new at-risk students waiting on redemption for whatever past behaviors prohibited them from doing so. I began to resort to behavioral modifications I left happily at the onset of the year thinking they won't be needed any longer. The dynamics of my classroom had changed in only a few short hours, and I was left speechless as I recounted trying to gain steady footage once more. Later on that week, my car frequently stalled requesting more maintenance on an unpaid bill that must be compensated before future repairs can be made. Furthermore, it is the only vehicle on the premises! To REALLY top things off, at the end of the week, my vitamin manufacture no longer offers a much needed personal supplement. It has been on backorder for over a month now. Sadly, I am unable to order this product and have just run out. I have extreme sensitivities to foods, supplements, and medicines so getting adjusted to a new regime can take weeks of pain and anguish.
So, at this point in time, I can completely understand what Job was trying to say to God in that Bible verse. Jobs question of "Why?" rose from his loss of everything. He lost is wealth, health, and family. All that was ever blessed in his life was wiped out by disaster. He had no clue that another level of reality, cosmic dynamics were at work. All he could comprehend was that he had gone from a position of great blessings and privilege to sitting in an ashen heap grieving the loss of his children. This prompted his cry to God, "Why me, God?"
God's response was quick. He wanted Job to know he didn't have the ability to comprehend either the question he asked or the answer he was hoping for. Later on in the conversation Job admitted, "I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know." That answer to Job's question of "Why?" is sometimes, "I don't know." Hence, we must trust God. What else do we have? Worry? Contempt? Where will that get us if we continue down that path?
But there are times you will question "Why me?" There is nothing wrong with asking that. There is nothing wrong with wanting to know why. Just realize sometimes God will show you the answer, and sometimes the answer may be "not yet." But with trust, we can assume God will guide us out of that pain.
Father, in this crazy world things happen
that are not always understood.
I am grateful when you help me understand
why. Give me the ability to trust in you when
the answer is not as clear. Amen.
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