When Being Superman isn't Enough

Gob or Job: The History of Questions

One of the most remarkable people that I've ever read about was a man named Job. Like everyone at first, I pronounced his name wrong, but this isn't time for that discussion. Job is described as someone who is upright or blameless. He also had great respect for God. He also had a lot of kids, livestock, and servants. Job would make sacrifices for his family, just in case they had sinned towards God. All in all, Job's life was, as the kids say it, lit (lit means awesome or amazing).

 Job's a pretty incredible man. In spite of all he has, he makes sure that he respects God. Not a lot of people can honestly say they do that with their wealth. I look at myself, with the little wealth I have, and see that I don't give God enough credit. Job is essentially the opposite. His heart is in the right place.

At one point in the book of Job, there is this discussion between God and Satan. This actually happens twice. The first time was to take his stuff (children and livestock) and the second time was to take his health. I believe Satan wanted to show God up. He wanted to show God, that he has power. The beautiful thing, is God still allows Satan to test Job. It's really the irony of the event.

So Satan first takes his children and property. How does he respond? Saying the following words: " Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD" (Job 1:21). The second time after Satan takes his health; leaving him with terrible sores that he used broken pottery to itch (ouch!), his wife tells him to curse God. Job responds to this by saying " Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil"?

How it feels when a ton of bricks falls on you...

At this point, I'd like to state the obvious. What is wrong with Job? Did he hit his head playing catch the sheep? His response is not typical. Actually to some, it's quite unrealistic. Who can say those things.

I'll be the first to say, if I ever lost my Beka or my unborn child, I'd be devastated. The sheer fact of losing anyone who is family, kills me. To be able to honestly say what Job said to God, I don't believe would come to mind first.

That's the thing though, we don't see through the pain. We only see what's before us. We as humans are finite in our understanding. We see all the problems around us, and we believe that the world is what it is. We believe it to be cruel. How can we deal with the intolerance, wars, or Presidents. 

Let's continue Job's story...

Questions of an honest man...

The story of Job doesn't end with the cliched Christian movie ending. It's really only the beginning. The next chapters beginning a long discussion between Job and some friends. Job does what I believe is natural: He ask questions.

Job ask these questions to his friends who clearly are educated men but don't fully get it. Job questions God as to why He would allow this to happen to essentially, a good person. I mentioned it earlier, that Job made sacrifices for his children just in case. He's a good guy.

I myself have gone through this myself. I felt that I was doing well. I mean I was doing what I needed to do, and making sure I gave God what was due.

Then out of nowhere, it falls apart. I lose my job, with a child on the way; just a sample of my situation. I admit, I did not respond like Job. I literally broke down. I felt like a failure. I asked questions too. Why would God do this to me.

Peace Of Wild Things: Paper Route Edition

After all the questioning, God finally responds. The funny thing is He responds not in the way we expect. He beginnings questioning Job. 

He asks questions such as "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth"(Job 38:4), do you know when the Mountain Goats give birth? (Job 39:1), and can you draw out Leviathan with a fishhook (41:1)? Most of those questions seem ridiculous. Actually most of them are ridiculous. Here is why.

God essentially is telling Job and his friends, that He knows what He is doing. He is the ultimate source of knowledge and wisdom. He is the source in which we get our limited understanding. He created all things. All things are under God's control.

Now I admit, that's not a great answer in times of trial. At the same time, it is a great answer. Let me explain.

We are hit with struggles so very often we just can't wrap our heads around. I'm constantly wrestling with why people would abuse children. It doesn't make sense that children, who don't understand the world, would be treated so poorly. Yet in some weird way God has a purpose. 

Sometimes we won't get the answers we want. There will be aspects of life we will never understand. God is calling us to trust Him. In questioning Job, God is saying, trust me, I know how things will play out. I mean He sent Jesus to die for all of man's sin. I'm sure a lot of people who waited for Jesus in OT questioned why God didn't send Jesus earlier. Yet in God's timing, it all made sense.

Life will beat the hell out of you. That happens. It doesn't matter if you are a good person or the worst person in the world. The world will let you down. That's why Jesus came. To give us hope. I'll admit, I'm not very hopeful currently. This is a test to me. Yet there is freedom, in trusting that God will provide. Letting go of all the uncertainty and allowing God to speak life into you is important. 

Also it's okay to question. It's okay to talk to others. It's okay to be upset. It's okay to be brokenhearted. Just remember, God wants us to trust Him. He also feels your pain because of Jesus. He understands because He too was once a man. We are not alone. When the world hurts, He stands with us. 

Freedom comes from allowing God to be God and for us to surrender.