Having lived on the earth for over half a century, I understand more clearly how much I don’t know. When I was in my 20’s, I believed I had everything figured out. Now, that thought makes me laugh out loud!
On January 6, 2022, Greg Boyd did a podcast from Woodland Hills Church in St. Paul, Minnesota where he discussed unanswered prayer. He had some interesting points of view using Scripture as his foundation. His words opened my mind and heart to things that don’t have a cut and dry answer.
I thought of Job and all the things he went through. The book starts out by letting the reader know about a conversation that happened in the heavens between God and Satan. We know that God allowed Satan to take everything from Job except his life. After several horrific, unspeakable tragedies befell Job, three of his friends came to comfort him. They sat with him in silence for seven days; out of respect for his mourning. But then, they opened their mouths, and tried to give man-made religious answers as to why Job was suffering. They were profoundly wrong.
One gift we can give someone who is suffering is to sit beside them in their pain and provide quiet, sacred space for them to process what they are going through. To not give them trite answers that can pile more pain upon them. The world is random with limitless variables that we humans can’t understand with our finite minds. It’s okay not to have all the answers and to say, “I don’t know.” But God, Who is infinitely wise, understands and Does Know!
Father, there are many things I don’t know or understand. I still struggle with admitting, “I don’t know,” because I want to know! I want to figure everything out so I can understand pain in this life and help others through their pain. But, my job is not to play God. That’s Your job. You are the Source of infinite Love, Knowledge, Wisdom, and Understanding. Help me to discern Your will for my life on a daily basis as we walk together in this life and the next!. Amen.
Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He’s the one who will keep you on track. Proverbs 3:5-6