Living in the Spirit
October 8, 2018
Scripture Reading: Job 23:1-9, 16-17
Then Job answered:
‘Today also my complaint is bitter;
his hand is heavy despite my groaning.
O that I knew where I might find him,
that I might come even to his dwelling!
I would lay my case before him,
and fill my mouth with arguments.
I would learn what he would answer me,
and understand what he would say to me.
Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power?
No; but he would give heed to me.
There an upright person could reason with him,
and I should be acquitted forever by my judge. –Job 23:1-9
The news is full this morning of news related to a limousine wreck in New York State where 20 people were killed most related to one another, most young adults just started in life. Job knew how that felt as he lost all his children. I am sure he had many long conversations with God crying out “Why” giving all his well thought out arguments for why none of the losses should have fallen on him. We can feel his palpable confusion, pain, and grief when we read this scripture. We can apply those same responses to the family and friends lost in the vehicle accident. Bad intersection, perhaps no seat belts or ones not being used, no airbags, perhaps a history of poor vehicle maintenance, all these things will be pursued but the people are gone.
We live in a complex world where tragedies abound, and we learn of them because our communications systems alert us immediately from across the earth. Where is God in all of this? God, our Creator, grieved with Job and grieves with each of us as one would expect the ultimate parent of all peoples everywhere would. Parents exist to prepare their children to become adults in a challenging world, where they are free to make decisions regarding their lives. God through the Holy Spirit is active an engaged with each of us an all of us collectively to guide an sustain us, if we reach out and accept the help offered. We are tasked to work in oneness toward supporting each other as we grow in wisdom and in truth. In those times when we cannot comprehend the enormity of events, our faith in the God of Love is what holds us together as we try to piece together our lives.
Prayer: Lord, let your love flow through all those dealing with unbelievable loss from wrecks to hurricanes to earthquakes. Instill in each of us the ability to share our love with those experiencing loss as we endeavor to be one in Christ. Amen.