It's been...what, two months? At least? Summer is supposed to be a time to relax a bit, right? I've rarely been so busy in my life! My entire summer has revolved around ministry, family, and trudging through another massive project at work...which finally started winding down today. I actually have a half hour to breathe! Yaay! What's been going on? Hmm...you mean I actually get to pause and reflect? Suffice it to say that I regret not blogging for a while. There are several lessons God has taught me lately that bear recording, but I suppose that will now have to wait for me to forget the lesson and have to be retaught. I'm great at that.
When classes started again this month, we began by diving into the book of Job. Who could possibly have trouble identifying with this guy? Okay, so you probably haven't had all of your children wiped out and everything you own taken away from you in a single day, but you have had plenty of trials. We all have, and most of us have probably thought, at one time or another, "Why is God doing this to me?" I know I have on more than one occasion. It's not a pleasant place to be, but I love it when I come out the other side having been drawn closer to the Father, as Job did.
This study reminds me of how my life has been unfolding in the past year. As I recall, almost immediately after I started taking classes, my workload increased substantially. If it weren't for all the A's I've been blessed with, I might be tempted to think God didn't want me to learn more of His Word, but I know that's not the case. The book of Job confirms that God wants us to know Him more intimately, and there is no better way to do that than by prayer and studying the Bible. What Job has helped me to do is put my own trials in God's perspective.
The first chapter of Job alone lets us know that there's a spiritual war going on all around us. God often uses the enemy's own playbook against him, in order to draw us into a more intimate relationship with Himself, and Job's case is no exception. Yes, Job was an upright man who walked with the Lord, but that relationship was built on fear. Fear is not a healthy basis for any relationship. God desires for us to know His love, and He tells us over and over again in His Word to not be afraid.
How does God start the process of revealing His love to Job? By telling Satan to hit Job with everything he has! That sure seems like a strange way to show love, doesn't it? Think about it, though - when do you draw closest to God? Is it when life is going good, or is it when you're in dire straights? If God desires a closer relationship with you, you're in for trials. They can make or break our relationship with Him. It's no wonder Peter tells us to count it all joy when bad things happen; it means God wants to be closer to us!
Despite how much has been laid on my shoulders lately, I'm draw great comfort from the words James and Peter wrote. As I draw closer to God in times of struggle, He draws closer to me. As I give Him each and every problem I encounter, my burden gets lighter. It's an incredible exchange, one which I'm slowly beginning to enjoy. Do I wish for more trials? Absolutely not, but when they come my way, I do know who to share them with - the only One who can see me through each of them to the end, my Father in Heaven. Praise His holy name!
Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, and said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly. - Job 1:20-22
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. - James 4:8a
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. - 1 Peter 5:7
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