Good ole’ Job in the Bible had the absolute hardest luck. It seems he was under what most of us would consider torture and for days on end (AKA time under tension). His friends questioned his integrity and actions, assuming he must have done something in the eyes of God to deserve such a tragic episode of events. (If you aren’t familiar, think extreme illness, death of all close loved ones, etc. It was BAD!) He was in a bad way, and yet was able to keep his focus centered on God’s goodness…truths he had known throughout his life. He intentionally kept his attention clear and lived in full dependence on God’s promises. His actions are remarkable, given the human condition normally causing us to stir… to doubt… to question.
A week doesn’t go by where someone in my path is sharing how they just cannot believe we are still in this pandemic situation. They are anxious to somehow find themselves out of these restrictions, and back in a large crowd of people, enjoying live music, and sharing meals and drinks with lots of hugging, reveling, etc. That generally goes along with thoughts on just how many people have died and those who may still die… and a desire for good information that helps our minds make sense of it all. A flat out desire for clarity around a clear path forward.
Regardless of where you are in this season, it is true that we do not know how long or to what extent we will continue to encounter the new world we find ourselves in. What we do know is that we have been under this tension for almost a year now, and yet we are still learning. We are building mental stamina and fortitude that will no doubt be necessary tools as we move through our life journey. I have full faith that all of it will be used. I believe that, because no matter what I have gone through, it has all been used (every bit of it) for some greater good that I had no idea at the time would occur. (Perhaps an idea for another blog: the power of sharing our story with others…).
If you are a person of any faith, the Job story is there to show us how to persevere and to continue to be rooted in truth. To have the spirit, that “no matter” what comes our way, that we will continue to believe, and even be optimistic that something/someone much greater has a much larger view and is orchestrating the good and the bad together to create something we cannot even imagine.
Perhaps we needed more endurance skills, and to be reminded that being in pursuit of God is really the only way that we find true joy and purpose in life. I sure don’t know what the plan is, but I do know that I am focused on building strength in all keys areas of my life, with my faith being the most important area to continue to go deeper in. I am reminded early and often, that I have so much to learn. The depths of our faith and our lives can only grow with intention and action.
I hope that this week we are all able to take that in, and make the right decisions to ensure that we are taking this time of unknowns and intention and to seek God’s voice in all of it.
Also…one week until the SUPER BOWL! Let’s go CHIEFS!