A radio preacher said
something during a broadcast that has stuck with me for a few days now. He
stated in a very matter-of-fact tone, “God offers the choice to every member of
the human family – ‘You can burn now, or, you can burn later.’”
We all know about the
elusion to burning later he made. That’s a reality for the unrepentant; those
who choose to give God’s gracious invitation through Jesus Christ the Heisman
trophy stiff-arm. However, it’s the ‘burning now bunch’ I seem to be counseling
the most lately as a minister. Maybe you’re one of them! You’re one of those ‘real
people’ we celebrate and open our proverbial arms to here at First Christian. You’re
a person who seems to be going through it – and by ‘it’ I mean the confusing,
turbulent, disheartening sequence of life events that has left you wondering if
God is watching and if He even cares. If that’s you, meet Job!
The Bible describes
Job’s life as one blessed beyond compare. He has a wonderful family, wealth,
and a stellar reputation, grounded in his high values and adoration of God.
But, you know the story. One day everything changes. The benevolent baron from
the land of Uz loses everything – almost his life. Gone within a few messengers’
reports is everything in which he found his stability, pride and greatest joy.
In his torment, his
friends come to visit him. What begins as a model of good pastoral care quickly
ignites into finger-pointing cross-examination! Surely there is a cause for Job’s
disaster. There is a reason Humpty had a great fall. Yet, after forty-two
chapters and a special cameo by the Almighty Himself, no reason is ever
identified.
As humans, we are
meaning machines! We want everything to make sense. We claw at the ‘whys’ of
life and long to wrap our craniums around reason and blame. But, in this
ancient narrative, one never appears. Leaving us all to wrestle with the facts –
God is not like us – He sees a bigger picture – He does whatever He wants
whenever He wants with whoever He wants without asking permission first!
As we persevere
through the unpredictable tsunamis of a fallen world, our thirst for
understanding may never be quenched. However, we can hang on to hope – the kind
of hope that comes through knowing the true character of God. Listen to Job’s
hope – “But he (God) knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will
come forth as gold. (23:10)
Job knew that being
an authentic follower did not mean an exemption from hardship. Instead, he knew
that in order for God to truly transform him, that the painful fire of trials
were necessary. That in order to purify Job and mold Job into a vessel God
could use, heat was uncomfortable but essential. God was fully aware (‘knows
the way that I take’), and testing, according to Job himself, wouldn’t last forever.
How about you? Are
you going through it? Hanging on by your fingertips? Wondering when the ‘Broil’
setting will be turned off?
Hang in there! Rejoice! You are not alone. God
has got you! He knows what He is doing. Trust. Surrender. Believe. The Master
is burning away the impurities and shaping you for your good, the benefit of
others, and ultimately for His glory. And when He is all done, you’ll come
forth as gold!
