Ever Felt Like Job?

These days I feel like Job...

Yesterday at work a young man questioned me about my faith and the bible. He had already read through a good portion and found himself asking more questions than getting any answers. We engaged in a conversation early about how I felt a little low due to the ending of a two year relationship abruptly.

The young man proceeded to joke with the other fellow working with us, and that is when it happened. He blasphemed God, and then again, so I then asked him to choose a better word. "Are you a religious person?" was his response to my comment. That is when I discovered that he had attended church and read his bible, he has friends who believe. What was this guys problem?

It turns out that he had a hard time believing in a God he could not see; having faith in a God he could not touch or see. He did not like that God was in control of everything. So this began a testimony for him and beginning of some healing for me.

I have been going through many different things over this last year, changes. Blending is a family together; we each had three children of different ages. We spoke of future plans and goals that would keep us busy, completely wrapped in a whirlwind of hopes and dreams. Big dreams for God. So that was some work and well recently we broke up and my two children are with me. One is with his dad and doing well. So, right in the middle of this I was feeling pretty low, very sad, lonely and feelings like that. This is what the bible speaks of being in season and out, ready to witness of Jesus' unfailing love to the unbelievers.

So, he asked how was my God there in that moment and why would he let that happen. Well, I shared that even though this was a horrible time for myself I was reminded of Job. Even though Job lost lots he always had praise on his lips. God wants me to keep him the center of all that I am. I thought God was center, I did spend more time with the whole family and blending than just sitting in His presence. I used to spend hours with God just to prepare for my day, a messenger even shared that I should try to find more time to pray. I found that when I looked back at the whole thing I only had maybe hour or so to spend with God. He wanted so much more from me. I encouraged people to spend time in prayer and waiting, listening to God. I told people that Jesus was looking for worshipers and what about me? I, was not living according to God's will even though in the bible it does not specifically say you can not live together it surely expresses the importance in marriage. Marriage is used to always describe an intimacy between two people, the church and us, God and his people. So, when the whole thing of my moving out was taking place, God sent unexpected help, found us a home close by, job, friends and family kicked in their share and to help out. I received help from some people that I had not thought would be there for me.

I shared that even though, I did not want to be apart from this man that I could trust God to make things alright. God knew my heart and knows my desire, we have spoken often about it. I look back now and I could see the opportunities that God opened for me to do the right thing. I even helped him to take a look at the times in his life where God had shown up. He was amazed but not sold out yet. God was giving me comfort and peace about the separation. Bible says, Prov. 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understanding" Jer 29:11" I know the plans that I have for you.." He asked many questions and was surprised that I knew the answers, here is a few:
Creation?
Wisdom?
Why if we believe in God is in control of everything would we use birth control in marriage?
Why do we have so many different churches?
Why do some pastors wear expensive clothing?
Why do some people have so much and others so little?
Why do we have sickness?
Why do we have pain and suffering?
Why is there really no difference between Christians and sinners?
Why is the old testament around?
Are we still to follow the old testament; or is the new here to replace it?
What about homosexuals?
What about marriage? Dating?
What about abortion?
Why would God give us free choice?
He even tried tricky questions about my relationship with Jesus.

The long and short is when I started to speak to this boy, I asked God to give me the right words and to help me to share the truth. Today and each day, I don't go out of my home without putting on the armor God gave us in Ephesians. Did you know the belt of Truth held the hold out fit together back in the days of armor. So, as believer in Jesus we need to give them the truth. Don't bend it, stretch it, manipulate it, straight up talk. People are looking for real believes who can share themselves, admit they screw up, and show the path to victory at the cross. My young friend left that shift feeling very happy about the answers to his questions, he spent 5 hours barreling questions at me and God gave me the answers to reveal who He was for him. Let the Holy Spirit do the work through you and you'll have the answers. We spoke the bottom line, Jesus died on the cross for him, he forgave the sins of his past and the ones in his future and right now. Love those who do not believe, hate the sin but Love them and everyone. God takes my sins and throws them into the deepest oceans if I confess them and repent (turn from my ways). God has been calling the boy for two years, and he admitted to resisting the call. He promised that he would read the scriptures that I gave him and then tonight when we work we'll share more.

Jesus is calling all believers to be in the game no matter what is our job, situations, feelings that day. Jesus, will provide us with all that we need to know. So press into God for yourself, seek God with all your heart, your soul, and mind, strength. Job knew without a shadow of a doubt his God was big enough and would not leave him nor forsake him. Job was so very loved by God and thought highly of. God thinks we are fabulous and that is why he formed us. So deepen your relationship with him. Get intimate with God and let him use you as he plans, he'll open opportunity. In the midst of sad, not so great times, praise God he'll help you through and use it for His Glory.

Father be with each believer today, may they spend that extra time with you and know your will for this week. In Jesus name Amen!