“No man needs sympathy because he has to work, because he has a burden to carry. Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.”
― Theodore Roosevelt
― Theodore Roosevelt
JOB 19-20
13“He has alienated my family from me;
my acquaintances are completely estranged from me.
14My relatives have gone away;
my closest friends have forgotten me.
15My guests and my female servants count me a foreigner;
they look on me as on a stranger.
16I summon my servant, but he does not answer,
though I beg him with my own mouth.
17My breath is offensive to my wife;
I am loathsome to my own family.
18Even the little boys scorn me;
when I appear, they ridicule me.
19All my intimate friends detest me;
those I love have turned against me.
20I am nothing but skin and bones;
ACTS 9:23-43
23After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him, 24but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.
26When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews,a but they tried to kill him. 30When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
31Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.
JOURNAL
Job continues to debate with his friends and languishes in his circumstance. He has experienced loss in every capacity except his life. Paul now embraces this new path without hesitation or reservation. He plunges right in and doesn't bother with public opinion and what people would think. He has made a 180-degree shift to the point that people are having a difficult time with the shift. The Jews begin to conspire to kill him and the disciples begin to help him avoid their traps.
I can only imagine the confusion as Paul has gone from passionate oppressor to ardent defender. Paul has one purpose and one purpose only. He appears to have no backup plan and is intent on preaching the gospel without reservation wherever God sends him. In the same way, I can empathize with Job's friends who are confounded as to why God would punish Job without a reason.
In reading the two texts it sometimes is hard to reconcile God's purpose. In Job, God allows torment and suffering on one of his most devoted followers and with Paul, God converts one of the enemies to the faith. What I take from both is that there is not a clear formula for God and life. Life can seem unfair and pointless, but it clearly has meaning. God does not operate in a predictable manner, that's why I must seek and trust him in every circumstance in every moment. I don't know when the winds will shift and circumstances change. The only thing that is a constant is God's love and his ultimate purpose which is to redeem man.
That can look different in every single person. Just as we all are unique, so is God's plan and purpose for each of us. The one constant is that our destiny is with God, and that God has work for each of us to do and accomplish. No matter where we live, no matter what our situation, we are to love God, love others and follow him.
I can only imagine the confusion as Paul has gone from passionate oppressor to ardent defender. Paul has one purpose and one purpose only. He appears to have no backup plan and is intent on preaching the gospel without reservation wherever God sends him. In the same way, I can empathize with Job's friends who are confounded as to why God would punish Job without a reason.
In reading the two texts it sometimes is hard to reconcile God's purpose. In Job, God allows torment and suffering on one of his most devoted followers and with Paul, God converts one of the enemies to the faith. What I take from both is that there is not a clear formula for God and life. Life can seem unfair and pointless, but it clearly has meaning. God does not operate in a predictable manner, that's why I must seek and trust him in every circumstance in every moment. I don't know when the winds will shift and circumstances change. The only thing that is a constant is God's love and his ultimate purpose which is to redeem man.
That can look different in every single person. Just as we all are unique, so is God's plan and purpose for each of us. The one constant is that our destiny is with God, and that God has work for each of us to do and accomplish. No matter where we live, no matter what our situation, we are to love God, love others and follow him.
1The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,a
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
PSALM 23