In this chapter Philip makes the case for our seemingly unimportant situations to be just the opposite. He states that our disappointment with God usually begins with Job-like circumstances. The death of a child, a tragic accident, a loss of a job and we ask, why me? What does God have against me? Our life becomes consumed by the circumstances and we can't see beyond them. We live in the shadows of our circumstances. Often times we beg God to change those circumstances. If only I were beautiful or handsome, then everything would work out. If only I had more money, or at least a job, then I could easily believe God.
Chapter 23 and the book of Job is all about something bigger than our circumstances. It's about the universal battle between God and the devil. A battle not seen on this earth but one that is being waged in the heavenlies. The book of Job begins from God's point of view. Job according to God is the most righteous man on earth. The devil accuses God not Job. He accuses God of preferential treatment toward Job. The devil says that without that preferential treatment Job would not trust God. The book of Job shows us that we have a part to play in the reversal of all that is wrong with the universe. It shows us that God who could in the blink of an eye fix it all is committed to creation and His plan for us to participate in the process.
How do we do that? My only answer is, day by day, step by step, one decision at a time. My question should not be, "Why?" Instead it should be, "To what end?" All through history God's motive has been to develop us, mankind, who have been and always will be at the center of His plan. Every act of faith by every one of His people is like the ringing of a bell that declares victory is certain.
Our present life feels like a real fight, as if there were something really wild in the universe which we, with all our idealities and faithfulnesses, are needed to redeem. - William James.
No comments:
Post a Comment