As my New Year's Resolution, I said I would read a chapter of the Bible everyday for a year. I have been keeping up with this resolution and have made the choice of reading the 42 chapters of Job over Lent.
I've never been a journal-er, or a diary keeper, but when the idea came to me on Ash Wednesday, I made up my mind that I would stick with it. I decided that over the 40 (or 46) days of Lent, I would keep a journal of my journey (funny how similar those two words are, huh?). I decided to keep a journal so that I would have a record that I could look back on. Something that I could review and see how much I've changed.
This blog is going to be my journal. I will be writing about my daily experiences through my journey, and I will be writing about Job's experiences through his journey. It is going to be the account of these next 42 days and it is going to be the logbook of my journey to become more like Christ.
Day #1
Job was the top dog. He was prosperous, had 10 (also prosperous) kids, and a (I'm sure) beautiful wife. He owned over 11,000 animals, and had many many servants. He was loaded. Job 1:3 says that he was the greatest among all the people of the East.
Right about now you're probably picturing that Job is a conceited, snob-ish, rich person. But guess what? He wasn't! He was blameless and upright, feared God and shamed evil. (Job 1:1)
Job and I aren't that different, actually. I mean, I don't have 11,000 animals, but I do have 11,000 songs on iTunes... I have everything I need and a good portion of the things I want.
Satan had noticed how devoted to God Job was, and Satan did not like it. So Satan decided he was going to have a little meeting with God. Satan basically said: Yo, God. See your servant Job over there? Do You think he would really be so devoted to You if he didn't have all that stuff You've given to him?
God gave Satan permission to test Job. God told Satan he could do anything to Job, except harm Job himself. And boy can you bet that Satan took God up on that deal.
All in one day, Job found out that he lost everything he ever had. All his animals had been stolen, all his servants killed, and all his children had died. Job went into mourning. He shaved his head and tore his clothes, but never did he blame God for any of it.
Satan tempts me, too, to blame God for things. None of the trials I am put through can compare to what Job went through, however. When things like snow ruin my plans, or when I don't get what I want, I often yell at God and blame him for what had gone wrong. If Job can lose everything he had worked so hard to earn and never blame God, how come I blame God if just one tiny little thing goes wrong? Looks like I've already found something to work on.
Thus ends my first reflection.
Photo #1: I've got it pretty good.
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