Week 4 Thursday

Letting It All Hang Out

Today’s scripture selection: Job 7-8

Key verses: Job 7:11

     To say Job was frustrated is the definition of understatement.  He was crushed, defeated, angry, hurt, isolated, and just plain exhausted.  And his so-called friends, sent to “comfort” him only offered, at best, platitudes – and at worst, condemnation.  No wonder he felt so alone.

     But there is something beautiful for us to notice – even in the middle of all this seeming hopelessness.  It is that Job shared it openly.  He didn’t hold anything back; to use an old expression, he let it “all hang out.”

     Was there an immediate answer from God – either one of comfort or correction?  No.  Was there sudden clarity – a realization of why Job was suffering as he was?  Nope.  The silence must have been deafening.

     But I think it is helpful for us to see that the scriptures don’t clean the story up; editing out the anguish this child of God suffered, leaving us with some simple lesson on God’s justice.  Instead, it allows us to simply sit with Job in his pain and confusion.

     Those around Job were uncomfortable with this honest expression of frustration.  They wanted to tie everything up into a neat little package then tell Job to quit his complaining and get on with life.  Sometimes people react to us in the same way.

     But we should remember that it is alright, that God is “big enough” to let us put everything out on the table before Him.  While some will warn us to “hush up” and get on with life – our God allows honest expression of what is in our heart.

     So let it all hang out.  Take God not only your adoration and praise – but your frustration and anger and hurt as well.  God can handle it.  You won’t be answered with a crashing thunderbolt, but with a listening presence.

     And while we you are at it – why not offer that kind of listening presence to someone else?  It won’t answer all the questions – yours or theirs.  But once everything is on the table, in time – God will show up.  He always does.  Not in divine retribution – but divine grace.  And you will be glad you held nothing back.

 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thank you that you allow me to cry out, as Jesus once did, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”  And thank you for not really forsaking me – ever.  AMEN.