Job

     In the small group I attend on Sunday nights (I love it, by the way.  I am the lone representative for my generation and I get the honor of hearing the stories and experiences of the different attendees who have become people I admire and respect-and they've become my friends, but that's a different post for a different time.) we just began studying the book of Job.  We've previously studied other books written by minor prophets and before delving into the text we'll discuss the historical context of the passage.  Job is slightly different in that there isn't a great deal of historical background to look at.  The book of Job as a book of fiction or a book of fact was even brought into discussion.  There was no conclusion settled upon as to whether or not the book is in fact, uh, fact, but it's agreed that the Bible is the inspired word of God and books within the canon we have are there for a reason and there are great jewels of wisdom to be ascertained from such a story.

     Recently, two of my friends have experienced great loss.  One of them made a decision that needed to be made; because it was the right thing to do.  The other experienced a loss in death; a loss that could not be controlled.  Both friends are now grieving these losses and experiencing the pain that comes with all loss.  They are readjusting themselves in the discomfort that these absences have incurred.  I find myself grieving with them and trying to pray the right words for them as they heal. 

     I don't know if Job really lived or lost all seven thousand sheep and all ten children, or if the poem was simply inspired and written.  I do know that the Lord has a funny way of placing His words in my life and keeping them on my heart at specific times.  My God is so thoughtful in the way He loves me.  Today I find these words still on my heart and filled with more meaning.  I want to learn from them and understand what they mean and learn how to really feel them.  I admire Job, the man OR the character in the story, who can praise his Lord in the face of hurt. 

"The Lord has given and the Lord has taken away. 

May the name of the Lord be praised."

Job 1:20