Exit stage left Satan, off to do mischief somewhere else.
Job had indeed passed Satan’s tests without sinning (1:22; 2:10), but the suffering he continued to experience was surreal. His children had been crushed in a whirlwind (1:19), his livestock raided or burned by fire from the sky (1:15-17), his servants put to the sword (1:15,17), his skin afflicted with sores from head to toe (2:7).
By reputation, Job’s character was exemplary: Job was honest inside and out, a man of his word, who was totally devoted to God and hated evil with a passion (1:1, MSG). There was “no one on earth like him” (1:8). Now that’s saying something.
Ah, Job I thought as I contemplated the Womenary calendar last fall—not exactly the most uplifting book. Now wasn’t that just typical of 2020! But what better time than the present to consider the reality of suffering with all the ups and downs of that year and the February deep freeze of this. Let’s jump on into the deep end ladies, as suffering is indeed a deep subject.
The same neighbor’s cow from last year returned this spring to graze in my hay meadow. For days, she casually crossed fences between pastures leaving broken wires and leaning fence posts. She became known as the infamous “renegade cow” as multiple folks attempted to corral her. My brother finally explained the problem. “Once a cow learns a fence is only a psychological barrier/boundary rather than a real one, there’s no longer any way to keep them in a pasture. You might as well haul them to the auction barn!”
The Tops in Texas rodeo has been a local happening for 59 years in the small East Texas town of Jacksonville. One of the newer, and more popular events, however, is Mutton Busting, which lets children under ten attempt to ride a sheep bareback for six seconds. Sound easy? Those of us unfamiliar with sheep may think so. Remember Mary’s docile little lamb with fleece as white as snow? Not so these Mutton Busting beasts.
As I watch nieces and granddaughters face the task of exploring career paths, a famous bit of wisdom comes to mind for narrowing options: “Vocation is where our greatest passion intersects the world’s greatest need.”* This principle of “intersection” has guided me in my own decisions for investing my time professionally and as a volunteer. Without it, the possibilities simply overwhelm.
I’ve allowed an “at-my-fingertips” resource to change my world. It’s quieted the angst of temporarily boxing up my favorite commentaries and study resources—old friends indeed. I knew this “world” existed, the world of digital Bible commentaries, but my books and familiar ways held me captive! I’d compared scripture translations using Bible apps for some time, but a shockinging fruitful resource hid behind the “Commentaries” tab. Forty resources awaited me to shed light on the phrase I was examining in the Lord’s prayer, the power and the glory forever.
I recently discovered a dried clump of playdough in the back of my pantry. As I held it in my hands, the weight reminded me of how my heart feels sometimes for a brother or sister in Christ. I falter in knowing how to pray for them. That’s when I look to Paul who recorded one of his prayers for believers in his New Testament letter to the Colossians. His prayer guides me in my own.
Words have powerful effects
They have the power to lift up, encourage, motivate, and give praise but if not controlled the evilness of your heart is revealed. It is scary to think that the very same lips that I use to give God glory, honor, and praise can also spit out mean, hateful, and degrading remarks to those closest to me.
In desperation these ten men cried out to the Lord for healing. Their act of obedience caused them to be cleansed outwardly. However, most of them missed the most important transformation - their heart to be cleansed inwardly.
Peter and John were at the temple courts surrounded by people. Peter had just healed a man in the name of Jesus Christ causing quite a stir. Many gathered around these “miracle workers” in astonishment which created a disturbance among the Sanhedrin. They ordered Peter and John to stop speaking and teaching in the name of Jesus. However, these two courageous men stood their ground and replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you or to Him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19).
Being a child of God puts a target on our back, and Satan will take aim for it. The Bible warns us that the devil is like a prowling lion ready to attack. Jesus reminds us that our enemy is a “murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44).
When my girls were younger I used to love reading them stories. Some of our favorites were the princess stories, such as Cinderella, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty. Even though each of these make-believe stories ended happily, the challenges the princesses faced getting there were difficult.
The first decision I made seemed innocent enough. My daughter and I chose to go get our fingernails done thinking we had plenty of time before my grandson’s PreK program. Of course, it took longer than expected so we rushed out in a hurry afterwards.
My five-year-old grandson did not appreciate me good heartedly teasing his baby brother about spitting up all over his bib. “That’s what bibs are for!” he scolded me indignantly. I tried not to giggle at him and thought it quite sweet for him to take up for his brother.
During an appointment with a trusted doctor, I mentioned that some of the foods I loved had begun causing me some stomach distress when I ate them. He looked me straight in the eye and said, “That sometimes happens to women of your age.”
While driving home from a stressful trip on a quaint country road, I set the cruise control in my car to 71mph. As I travelled along enjoying the scenery and peacefulness, I got distracted and looked down to fiddle with the car menu. I glanced back up at the very last second to avoid hitting a car stopped dead still in front of me. I felt like God tapped me on the shoulder just in time. Thankfully, no accident occurred.
That question, “What do you want me to do for you?” I had never considered it for myself, but decided to give it a try.
I set my alarm early, knowing I had devotionals due soon and absolutely nothing written. I needed some quiet hours to reflect and write. For almost two hours, I sat and stared at my computer and my open Bible. Nothing came.
I have a friend whom I greatly admire professionally. She is one of the best in her field. She has stated emphatically to me that she is not a believer in Jesus Christ, but she has also stated that she is searching for truth. More than once she has remarked that her mind is filled with questions and that she is frustrated, even angry about her lack of answers. She has determined to continue seeking answers to the big questions in life—answers that she says may never come.
