About two weeks ago I wrote my last blog post. I was discouraged, tired and really hurting. I was just about ready to give up.
Today, I have a little bit of a different story. I’m still tired, occasionally I get discouraged by how slow this whole process is, but I have a new found confidence.
It’s all because of Job and the pickle he found himself in.
The story starts with God and Satan having a small debate over Job, a well-known follower of the Lord. God tells Satan that Job was “blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.” Satan couldn’t stand such a person to be left alone, and challenged God to allow him to push Job, claiming that “God had been to soft on him.”
God told Satan “Behold, all that [Job] has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” Basically, God gave Satan permission to wreak havoc in Job’s lavish life, for it was true, Job had much, had many possessions, much land and many children. It was a good life. Fast forward a bit in the book and you’ll find Job family-less, possession-less, and having no reason to give glory to the Lord, yet even in his misery and his hardship, Job did not curse the Lord, even after his “friends” told him to. At one point, Job was told of all he had lost, and look at what he does:
At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said:
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
and naked I will depart.a]”>[a]
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;
may the name of the Lord be praised.”
In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.”
That is straight from the book. Later, after Job asks God what he is doing, God answers Job “in a whirlwind.” God spends 3 whole chapters rebuking Job for asking him what his plan was.
“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me! If you have understanding!… Have you commanded the morning since your days began and caused the dawn to know its place?”
God nails down a very clear point in these three chapters – God is God, Job is NOT. Job responds, saying
“Behold, I am of small account, what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth, I have spoken once, and I will not answer. I will proceed no further.”
Even after Job says this, God continues to respond to Job’s earlier questioning. He shuts Job down further, causing Job to repent, saying
“I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.”
After Job says this, the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, and Job even went so far as to pray for his “friends” who had told Job to curse God. Because of Job’s prayers for his friends, God showed Job’s friends mercy. The bible says Job was given “twice as much as he had before.”
This story gives me so much hope, especially after that really tough day a few weeks ago. You see, I was let go of my job, and that was really hard for me. I was really hurt and also really worried about money. I hate to admit that, but it consumed me. Being on my own and having this trip ahead of me makes being out a job not really an option. That same day I went and applied to a salon for a new job, and was really hoping that I would be hired.
The next day I was reminded of this story of Job by my boyfriend, who told it to me to encourage me to trust in God. After all, where was I when He laid the foundation of the earth?! I read that story over and over the following days, and I felt foolish for doubting God’s ability to take care of me. Like I wrote before, I spent some serious time with Him, and over the last few weeks, there have been many blessings.
First – Chipotle! They have agreed to support my trip by holding a fundraiser next thursday, Sept. 29th between 5 and 9pm half of their proceeds will go towards my trip. What a blessing!
Second – I was hired! The salon I applied to hired me a few days later, and I’ve been working for them since. God provides, people.
Third – Freddy got to come visit me all the way from West Point, NY to Fort Collins, CO. We had a short weekend together and that was enough to make my heart burst. I really love that guy.
Fourth – I turned 21 on Monday, and I had a party! I asked people to write me letters of encouragement and to give any financial gifts they could contribute towards my race, and after the party I was able to use those gifts to purchase ALL of the remaining gear I needed for this race. All of it. not only that, but I am SO LOVED. Spending time with some of my favorite people here is never a bad way to spend your birthday.
Guys, the Lord provides. Always. It may not always be in the way you expect, and it might not be what you were hoping for, but He will never leave you dry. He is attentive, comforting and constant.
I am close to reaching my first deadline, which is $5,000 by September 23rd. I am certain that God will provide, as he has so far and always will. I’m working, I’m busy, and I am very loved.
God created this world, he created the science behind an atom, and he has given me sight. God created animals that live without air, and animals that can fly, and He loves me. God has given me a lot, and for that – I am thankful. My hope is that if I ever find myself in Job’s situation, with nothing left, that I will still praise Him, my strong and faithful Provider.
