So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7.

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8.

I couldn’t help but be struck by the change in Job’s tone in Job 23. He and his friends have talked and reasoned and yet, Even today my complaint is bitter; his hand is heavy in spite of my groaning. If only I knew where to find him; if only I could go to his dwelling! v. 2, 3. It’s almost hopeful. If only. Can you imagine reaching that point where truly all you want is to knock on that door and sit with God and talk with Him so you can make sense of all that has happened. You have been faithful.  Why is this happening? But Job says something I am having a hard time understanding: There the upright can establish their innocence before him, and there I would be delivered from my judge. v. 7. Go to God to be delivered from Him? In that context to and from are opposites. But the reality is Job is still sitting with the friends covered in sores and in that place he can’t find God. To me, this next feels like a conversation Job is having with himself:  My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside. I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread. v. 11, 12. And yet, God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me. v. 16. 

Job has put to words the emptiness we experience when we undergo trials too great for us and long for God to explain and cannot find Him. I can read ahead and know that God speaks to Job and his friends but Job wasn’t privileged to know that in this moment. Why is Scripture important? We can read the experiences of those who came before us in the comfort of our homes. We can read words we may never have thought to express to our Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit. I used to think understanding life and God was a straight line extending out before me endlessly with experiences good and bad that will one day make sense. Longing to learn from God and with God and being open to listening to His still, small voice – His Presence reminds me He is here. Now. When I am with Him the problems of this world clamoring for attention recede. The path I see is the path of life with Him. This closeness with God strengthens and sustains me and has brought me to the new dimension of trust. I trust God for all things in His perfect, loving timing for us. In this world we have troubles. I trust God. He is faithful. His love for us is the path of life and it is Good! Not linear. Surrounding us always. A new dimension freeing us to be and learn and rejoice with Him. Ask. He’s here. Now.