Have you considered my servant, Job?

Having just spent her most challenging summer both physically and spiritually in Ohio with Campus Outreach ministries, Mollie was eager to begin her sophomore year in college.  After much prayer and many conversations with the financial aid office, we were grateful and amazed that she would transfer to a smaller Christian college.  Excitement mounted as we loaded her jeep and filled the van to the fullest that sunny Friday morning to move her to school.  Honestly we were all looking forward to a calm, joy-filled year with a little less trauma and drama in her life.

As she backed out of the driveway, we heard a loud clunk...  After stuffing the jeep to the fullest, Mollie and I took off knowing that after a quick trip to the mechanic, Kellie and Frank would soon join us to help unpack.  They never made - the engine was blown.  Disappointment loomed - this wasn't the plan.   That's okay - small campus - walking is good.  A little drama....

A few days later, another loaded car headed to a family wedding backed out of the same driveway.  Mollie calling - just talked to her a few minutes ago.... oh well,  I can't wait to hear how her first week is going, I thought.  Short version of the conversation:

Me:  Hey Mollie!
Someone other than Mollie calling from her phone:  Mrs. Wilder.  This isn't Mollie.  Dr. Hunt here.  (Hmm - Dr. Hunt - I met her...  a professor/advisor.)  
Me:  What's...wrong...

Dr. Hunt:  The van we were riding in was t-boned by a cement truck - we are in an ambulance headed to the hospital.  Mollie is conscious, no obvious broken bones...
Me:  We are on our way.

Hours later Mollie gingerly walked out of the hospital with bumps, bruises and a headache....   Discouragement  threatened... a few days' rest and school will begin..  A lot of trauma..


A few weeks later backing out of the driveway to head to work... Mollie is calling... maybe I just won't answer... :)  Sobbing, barely able to convey... my jaw hurts so bad.. can't stand it...

I am on my way - 8 hours later - headed home after surgery to remove infected impacted wisdom teeth...  Some drama and trauma...

Maybe anesthesia influence... maybe just weary...  "Mom, why is all this happening to me?  I thought this was where God wanted me to go...."  and the river of tears flowed... from both of us...

Ever felt that way??  This summer I have been reading through the book of Job along with the book of Psalms.  I know... an interesting combination, huh?  You are probably familiar with Job's story... In the first few verses of the book, we are introduced to Job and told that he was blameless and upright; he feared God; and he was extremely wealthy.... and he had 10 children - all of whom he prayed for and offered sacrifices on their behalf...  Within just another few verses, we read that all of his children were killed his wealth destroyed.  Job's reply, "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised."

I have read the end of the book, and I know the outcome - after a roller coaster of questions, frustrations, and finally, after 36 chapters of Job and his friends... hashing it out, God speaks... out of a storm with HIS wisdom and HIS power and HIS sovereignty.  Job is humbled and repentant.  We get to see the rest of his story... God graciously brought Job more wealth than he had before, and he had 10 children.  I'm in chapter 19 right now... and it is messy, Job is frustrated with his friends and questioning God's seeming lack of help.

Are you struggling.... are you wondering where God is... do you feel that HE has forgotten you...

Oh friends, I only wish I could assure you that all will be right in your world, that any difficulty you are dealing with right now will soon resolve, that your pain will cease...

Maybe you are living in chapter 19, like Job.  Tucked neatly in verse 25 of that chapter, Job touts, " I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end, HE will stand on the earth."

That really is our bottom line, isn't it?  Fast forward to chapter 42 for a minute...  Verse 1 is one of my favorite, "I know that YOU can do all things, no purpose of YOURS can be thwarted."  I adore the word, thwarted...  His plan will not be hindered or obstructed or changed or baffled or blocked...

And, the God of the Universe, your Heavenly Father, your Advocate, your Redeemer, the Lover of your soul is FOR you.

No, Mollie, I can't answer the Why question, but I can sure answer the WHO question.  God IS good all the time... and HE is trustworthy - He promised...

Have you considered my servant....