This was a beautiful view, from our helicopter, of a massive reef in Hawaii.
Saturday, during the Gator football game, I was on my computer, glancing at the game, and reading the Book of Job. (BTW, if you were hungry on Saturday, you should have watched the Florida vs. Miami game. They were serving up plenty of “turnovers”.) When my husband, Tim, asked what I was doing on the computer instead giving my devotion to college football, and I told him I was reading Job, he replied, “Maybe I should learn a little lesson from Job now because I’m losing my patience with my team.”
Patience isn’t the only thing that stands out when I read Job. Getting the whole picture of a situation is a lesson to be learned before you jump on some bandwagon. Allow me to briefly explain:
I became completely consumed with reading Job’s three friends giving him advice, and Job responding to them. Then, all of a sudden this younger lad, Elihu, comes around in chapter 32. Elihu was bursting at the seam to speak to Job. He had been patient long enough and was ready to share his young wisdom.
As with many topics in Job’s three friends’ speeches, Elihu brought up several great points. When you read each speech or even just tidbits of them, you shake your head in agreement with many of the issues that was discussed. I was ready to high five Elihu, and then God speaks up and says, “Then the Lord spoke to Job from a whirlwind and said, “Who is this ignorant person saying these foolish things?” (Job 38:1-2) Whoa! So much for the high five. Let’s sit back and hear what God has to say.
God spoke. Job listened. Job replied and apologized to God. God gave him blessings beyond what Job even had before. And he lived happily ever after.
So when I mentioned: “Getting the whole picture of a situation is a lesson to be learned before you jump on some bandwagon.” That is what we need to make sure we do in life.
Think about, for example, political views, situations that arise between friends, or circumstances which occur at work or school. Make sure you understand all aspects of the situation. Become knowledgable in an issue before you speak up or agree to agree or disagree.
If I were to read snippets of Elihu’s speech, I may be wearing an “Elihu for President” shirt. But, when I step back, read all comments, and (thanks to the Holy Bible) see the whole picture, I’ve got to understand the beginning, middle, and end of a situation, and learn to think wisely before I speak or take action.
Sounds like a wise lesson to learn.
Blessings and God’s abundant love to all!
September 9