DAY 180

NOT “JELLING”

Job 14, 15 & 16 and Acts 9:21-43

“Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble,” so begins our readings today – not a very positive attitude –I have been through the reading today a few times and my thoughts are not “jelling.”

Job is in another round of debate with his commiserating comrades. He is probing the human condition noting that a tree when it is cut down still has the chance to grow again, but not so with a human. He cries out to God and asks that he, Job, be hidden away until God’s wrath has passed. His “friend” Eliphaz accuses Job of not fearing God and allowing iniquity to govern his mouth. Job finally calls out his friends, “miserable comforters are you all,” and then he really lets loose. It is not surprise, everyone has a limit. He ends by saying he “shall go the way from which he shall not return.” Yet in each of his discourses he does not curse God, he is interacting with God, at least in a one-sided manner. Job seeks God in the midst of his calamity.

While I feel like I have been meandering in Job, the reading from Acts is all action. Saul has linked his knowledge of the Old Testament with his new found faith and is confounding all the Jewish leaders in Damascus…they now want to kill the repentant killer – they have murderous thoughts towards this new follower of Jesus. Saul is aided in escaping to Jerusalem but is not any safer, so he is sent on his way.

Peter’s dairy is full us similar adventure: heal a man named Aeneas and raises a woman named Dorcas from the dead…all in days work?

The two stories side-by-side presents interesting contrast and similarity. Job is suffering in the presence of a seemingly silent God. Saul & Peter are full of the Holy Spirit doing the work of God. Job is suffering and being harangued by three of his counselors as he tries to work out just what is happening to him. Saul & Peter’s friends are helping them, one which includes escape from being killed… (Job’s friends could take a lesson).

Life can be like that…days full of sameness and days full of action…yet all of them seem surrounded by and immersed in the story of God and humanity. Each seems to be seeking God, or an answer from God, or is working to proclaim God...not every day “jells,” and that may be the point…when it does not, make sure to stay engaged with God.