Bible in a Year… Day 11 (Job 3-4)

It’s poetry Wednesday, and we’re in Job 3-4.

Today’s notes…

Job 3:11-12 (NIV)
¹¹“Why did I not perish at birth,
    and die as I came from the womb?

¹²Why were there knees to receive me
    and breasts that I might be nursed?

Job 3:16-17 (NIV)
¹⁶Or why was I not hidden in the ground like a stillborn child,
    like an infant who never saw the light of day?

¹⁷There the wicked cease from turmoil,
    and there the weary are at rest.

Job 3:20-22 (NIV)
²⁰“Why is light given to those in misery,
    and life to the bitter of soul,

²¹to those who long for death that does not come,
    who search for it more than for hidden treasure,

²²who are filled with gladness
    and rejoice when they reach the grave?

Job 3:26 (NIV)
²⁶I have no peace, no quietness;
    I have no rest, but only turmoil.”

I find it interesting that after Job’s response to trouble in Job 1 and Job 2, we now find a complete turnaround in his demeanor in Job 3, as he curses his very birth, lamenting that he even lives.

Yet in all of this, Job did not sin.

I think it’s important for all of us, as Christians, to understand that sorrow is okay. We don’t always have to have it together… we don’t always have to wear our masks and hide what hurts we have within. I firmly believe God is big enough to handle it when we cry out in pain to Him… or even when we cry out in frustration when we don’t understand why trouble has come our way. Moreso… I think it’s of paramount importance that we, as Christians, are REAL with each other, and yes… even those outside of a relationship with Christ.

We are people, with real hurts, real pains, real frustrations, real struggles, real dilemnas… and we don’t always have answers.

So many non-believers have this false image of who we really are, as believers. Worse? We often promote that image by continuing to maintain our plastic selves.

Get REAL. Really.