Job & Joni

I've been reading Job lately.  That guy has it pretty tough.  He loses all his wealth, all his children, and his health.  And it doesn't seem to make sense.  He is known to be a righteous guy, "blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil" (Job 1:1).  Job doesn't know what's going on, his wife is clueless (and not helpful at all), his friends don't help...going on and on and on with their thoughts, accusations of lots of sin, and even reasoning that's why he's getting put through the ringer.  But they are not on the right track either.  Yes, he is sinful, but that's not why he's suffering.  God had chosen these things for Job.  It was God's doing for His purpose, beyond human understanding or explanation to Job at that time.

Thinking of this, I remembered the man born blind in John 9:1-3.  Jesus is walking along and "As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him."  Well! I read that again and again.  Jesus does go on to heal this particular blind man, but even if not, God's works could still have been displayed in him.  I just read an article about Joni Eareckson Tada.  She says (about her life as a quadriplegic) that "I believe what happened to me was an example of Hebrews Chapter 12 discipline.  I do.  I've had Christians ask, 'How can you say that of God?  That's awful for you to say He would discipline you by making you a quadriplegic.'  No, no, no.  Read Hebrews Chapter 12: God disciplines those He loves.  Had I not broken my neck I'd probably be on my second divorce, maxing out my husband's credit cards, planning my next ski vacation.  I wouldn't be here extolling the glories of the gospel and the power of God to help a person smile, not in spite of the problems, but because of them."  The article goes on to say, "Who knows better than God how much adversity we need to build our character, glorify Him, and fit us for heaven?"

So as I wonder about tough spots, my own discouragements, struggles, failings, and anything else expected or unexpected barreling my way in the school year ahead, I may encounter things that make no sense at all to me (like Job) or things that are God's discipline in my life (like Joni).  What if I pray "Father, please display the works of God in ME this year no matter what."  And with Job, even in the midst of whatever comes I can say:

For I know that my Redeemer lives,
    and at the last he will stand upon the earth.
26 And after my skin has been thus destroyed,
    yet in my flesh I shall see God,
27 whom I shall see for myself,
    and my eyes shall behold, and not another.
    My heart faints within me!

Job 19:25-27

Amazingly enough:  The context of this prophesy about Jesus in Job is in the midst of Job lamenting about being abhorred and despised in relationships, and having "bones stick to my skin."  

And so I pray.  Lord, here I am.  You know me.  I trust You.  Please display your works in me this year, no matter what.