Have you ever wondered, "Does God have any knowledge let alone plan for my broken life?"
We had quite the experience driving home for Christmas this year. The transmission in our van had been slipping. I took it to the shop on Friday knowing we were planning to leave on Saturday. The shop replaced a switch and it seemed to be working again. The next morning it was slipping again. I decided to go ahead and drive to Idaho and get it fixed there while we were visiting my folks. So we loaded up and took off. 2.5 hours later the transmission is gone and we are sitting on the side of the road calling roadside assistance. What are we going to do now God? I prayed about this, I thought it was going to be OK. What do we do now?
Well God had a plan B for the trip. First a little Subaru from Montana pulled up with two bible school students in it. A lovely woman in here 40s and a young college student. They prayed over us and then took Laura and Lorelai all the way to Postfalls where my mom picked them up arriving at my parents house at 3am. It was a good thing too, because I sat on the side of I-84 for 3 hours before the tow came and didn't get back to Portland until 2am. Big thanks to my friends who brought me home at 2am!
I made a dumb choice, I knew the transmission was slipping, a friend had offered to let me take his car (which I did the next day with mine in the shop), and I went anyway. Yet God still worked with me any way, he took care of us through his body of believers.
In Job 39 God speaks of his intimate knowledge of some of his creatures. Well he questions Job about them in ways that show his intimate knowledge of them. One of the things I find interesting in this passage is some of the instincts these animals posses are post fall instincts. The war horse charging into battle, the eagle feeding its young on the blood of other creatures. These were not things these animals were created to do before the coming of sin. We know this because death is a result of sin and there is a promise of the time to come when lamb will lay down with the lion and have no fear.
So God knows the state of the post fall animal kingdom and he gives them the instincts they need for plan B. Just as he know the state of the post blowing up of my transmission and had a plan B. This goes even further of course. God knows us as intimately as the animals mentioned in this chapter of Job. In the same way he moves in them and adapts to provide for them so he does for us.
Maybe you feel like you are on plan Z by now. May you find the faith to know God knows you and he has a plan and a purpose for you. For it is by grace we are saved through faith which in itself is a gift from God lest anyone should boast. We are his handiwork recreated in Christ Jesus to do the things he has planned for us from the beginning.
Lean into God today ask him to move you in his ways and may you find his provision new every morning.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Do you remember the day you were born?
Can anyone out there remember the face of the doctor when they popped out of the womb?
They day of my daughter Lorelai's brith is painted vividly in my mind. I remember getting up in the middle of the night with the contractions, getting in the car driving a block to the hospital, getting checked in, going to Walmart for the supplies for a long wait, the face of the doctor, the two epidurals, Laura giving birth (I will spare you the details), Lorelai's little and red grasping hands. I can see it all right now as I write this. It is all very clear to me, I don't have to make anything up or take anything on faith. I know what happened.
But I have to admit I remember nothing of my own birth. I know where I was born the town, the hospital, and I obviously know who my parents are, but I don't remember any of this from that day. I don't know what the doctor's face looked like, I know a few of the details of labor only because I have been told what happened. But I don't remember a thing, I would assume you don't remember anything about your birth either even though we were there.
God begins to speak in Job chap 38, "Who is it that darkens my counsel? Who speaks empty words without knowledge? Brace yourself up like a man. I will question you and you will answer me." God then begins to lay out the laws of nature and the calling of things into existence. As he describes placing the boundaries of the ocean and the foundations of the earth he says to Job, "surely you were there, surely you are old enough and know the things of which I speak." The obvious answer is no, we weren't there. Job wasn't there, you and I weren't there.
We speak so confidently of things we do not "know." We did not watch the world form. We weren't there whether it was the day of a big bang or the day when God spoke. Yet we have debates about it all the time speaking with the authority of one who stood there and watched it happen. The big bang relies of the reasoned theories of man, from the things we have observed and tested in this day and age, drawing what conclusions we may. Creation relies on the words of scripture, like this passage in Job, telling us what happened.
Both of these theories of origin depend on a decision of faith. Do we choose to believe in the proposed conclusions of the scientific observation? Do we choose to believe the words of scripture as the words of the God who was actually there and did these things? They both come down to faith, because we weren't there.
I know the story of my birth from listening to the words of my parents. The ones who were there. I choose to believe God is real, from the evidences in my life and the amazing ways the words of scripture have been ratified through history. So I'm choosing to listen to the words of my heavenly Father, because in faith I believe he was there.
Either way when we talk about our origins, I would pray we do it with the humility of faith, knowing neither one of us was there. We may be the one darkening God's counsel and speaking words with out knowledge. I choose to trust in his knowledge and lean into his wisdom. I brace myself up like a man and listen to the words God has to share.
They day of my daughter Lorelai's brith is painted vividly in my mind. I remember getting up in the middle of the night with the contractions, getting in the car driving a block to the hospital, getting checked in, going to Walmart for the supplies for a long wait, the face of the doctor, the two epidurals, Laura giving birth (I will spare you the details), Lorelai's little and red grasping hands. I can see it all right now as I write this. It is all very clear to me, I don't have to make anything up or take anything on faith. I know what happened.
But I have to admit I remember nothing of my own birth. I know where I was born the town, the hospital, and I obviously know who my parents are, but I don't remember any of this from that day. I don't know what the doctor's face looked like, I know a few of the details of labor only because I have been told what happened. But I don't remember a thing, I would assume you don't remember anything about your birth either even though we were there.
God begins to speak in Job chap 38, "Who is it that darkens my counsel? Who speaks empty words without knowledge? Brace yourself up like a man. I will question you and you will answer me." God then begins to lay out the laws of nature and the calling of things into existence. As he describes placing the boundaries of the ocean and the foundations of the earth he says to Job, "surely you were there, surely you are old enough and know the things of which I speak." The obvious answer is no, we weren't there. Job wasn't there, you and I weren't there.
We speak so confidently of things we do not "know." We did not watch the world form. We weren't there whether it was the day of a big bang or the day when God spoke. Yet we have debates about it all the time speaking with the authority of one who stood there and watched it happen. The big bang relies of the reasoned theories of man, from the things we have observed and tested in this day and age, drawing what conclusions we may. Creation relies on the words of scripture, like this passage in Job, telling us what happened.
Both of these theories of origin depend on a decision of faith. Do we choose to believe in the proposed conclusions of the scientific observation? Do we choose to believe the words of scripture as the words of the God who was actually there and did these things? They both come down to faith, because we weren't there.
I know the story of my birth from listening to the words of my parents. The ones who were there. I choose to believe God is real, from the evidences in my life and the amazing ways the words of scripture have been ratified through history. So I'm choosing to listen to the words of my heavenly Father, because in faith I believe he was there.
Either way when we talk about our origins, I would pray we do it with the humility of faith, knowing neither one of us was there. We may be the one darkening God's counsel and speaking words with out knowledge. I choose to trust in his knowledge and lean into his wisdom. I brace myself up like a man and listen to the words God has to share.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Introducing God
Anyone ever introduced God and then had him show up?
My wife as many of your know is a singer songwriter. She has a couple of CDs out and her own website www.laurawhidden.com. As she has done concerts over the last 12 years I have introduced her many times. She is a woman of great talent, an international touring artist, and opened for the likes of Scott Krippayne. The most important however is her mission statement; through her music she desires to inspire the awe of God which leads to worship, repentance, and relationship. Now here she is Laura Whidden.
Its fun to introduce her and then have people clap as she comes on stage. I know they are in for some good music, a fun show, and a chance to hear about what God can do in someone's life. Laura will sing songs interspersed with stories, she will write a song in concert with the audience and then invite them to come back home to be with their heavenly Father. She is all about worship, repentance, and relationship with God. I have to say though I have never seen a whirlwind come up afterwards and God speak out of it.
In Job chap 37 Elihu begins to describe God in the shape of a storm. I have a feeling he was inspired by the storm that was currently gathering. He speaks of God's thunderous voice, bringing snow and rain, and sweeping the land clean with his wind. He still has some things in here I don't agree with, hinting once again at the punishment of the wicked with the use of nature and then his love when he waters the earth. This once again is dangerous ground. I don't believe Hurricane Katrina was God's punishment of New Orleans, not do I believe when the rain doesn't come it means God doesn't love us. But even with Elihu's imperfect description of who God is he gets to introduce God. Because the next chapter starts with, "Then God spoke out of the whirlwind."
I think about the times when Laura does a concert, when we have lead worship music together, or when I have gotten up to speak about God to the minds and hearts of a congregation. There are mysterious moments when God shows up. You can feel his presence and the conviction that comes into the hearts of those there is far beyond what my words can do. I know my words and stories, and Laura's songs are not perfect descriptions of God just as Elihu's fall short, but somehow God shows up.
I don't think Elihu had any idea God was really in that whirlwind, he was just using it to illustrate his point. He didn't think Job should call out to meet with God. No man was worthy to ask for an audience with God in his opinion. Yet in his imperfect theology and understanding he gets to introduce God. Amazing!
May we recognize the opportunities we have to introduce God to those around us. Using whatever words, songs, or actions we have at our disposal. May our lives bring an awe of God which leads to worship, repentance, and relationship.
My wife as many of your know is a singer songwriter. She has a couple of CDs out and her own website www.laurawhidden.com. As she has done concerts over the last 12 years I have introduced her many times. She is a woman of great talent, an international touring artist, and opened for the likes of Scott Krippayne. The most important however is her mission statement; through her music she desires to inspire the awe of God which leads to worship, repentance, and relationship. Now here she is Laura Whidden.
Its fun to introduce her and then have people clap as she comes on stage. I know they are in for some good music, a fun show, and a chance to hear about what God can do in someone's life. Laura will sing songs interspersed with stories, she will write a song in concert with the audience and then invite them to come back home to be with their heavenly Father. She is all about worship, repentance, and relationship with God. I have to say though I have never seen a whirlwind come up afterwards and God speak out of it.
In Job chap 37 Elihu begins to describe God in the shape of a storm. I have a feeling he was inspired by the storm that was currently gathering. He speaks of God's thunderous voice, bringing snow and rain, and sweeping the land clean with his wind. He still has some things in here I don't agree with, hinting once again at the punishment of the wicked with the use of nature and then his love when he waters the earth. This once again is dangerous ground. I don't believe Hurricane Katrina was God's punishment of New Orleans, not do I believe when the rain doesn't come it means God doesn't love us. But even with Elihu's imperfect description of who God is he gets to introduce God. Because the next chapter starts with, "Then God spoke out of the whirlwind."
I think about the times when Laura does a concert, when we have lead worship music together, or when I have gotten up to speak about God to the minds and hearts of a congregation. There are mysterious moments when God shows up. You can feel his presence and the conviction that comes into the hearts of those there is far beyond what my words can do. I know my words and stories, and Laura's songs are not perfect descriptions of God just as Elihu's fall short, but somehow God shows up.
I don't think Elihu had any idea God was really in that whirlwind, he was just using it to illustrate his point. He didn't think Job should call out to meet with God. No man was worthy to ask for an audience with God in his opinion. Yet in his imperfect theology and understanding he gets to introduce God. Amazing!
May we recognize the opportunities we have to introduce God to those around us. Using whatever words, songs, or actions we have at our disposal. May our lives bring an awe of God which leads to worship, repentance, and relationship.
Friday, December 17, 2010
The arrogance of Youth
Have you ever thought, "man those old guys are just out to lunch?"
I think this is a common problem among youth in general, but especially young pastors. I love the looks I get from students when I suggest something they just know isn't going to work, or be cool, or whatever. I know the look because I have given it to my senior pastor way to many times myself. "You really think I should just keep things running along without having a vision in place, it would be way better just to stop everything and start over don't you think?" And yet low and behold he was right.
With my students the looks they give me usually come from not understanding what I am talking about or not having the experience of knowing how these things go. The truth is they and I often find out we just don't know what we are talking about. There are many times I learn things from my students and my senior pastor has followed my lead on something that have turned out well. Paul writes to Timothy and tells him don't let people despise you because you are young, but be an example in faith, life, and purity. Youth is neither completely foolish nor completely wise as it is with age.
But Elihu makes an outlandish statement in Job chap 36. "One with perfect knowledge is with you." At least he says he got his knowledge from someone other than himself, but still "one with perfect knowledge?" This boy has been taking arrogance pills. he has some good things to say about the awesomeness of God, but his world view is so skewed. Job is suffering therefore he must have sinned. We know its not true in this story from the first few chapters of the book.
How often are we so convinced of our own world view and yet it turns out we are completely wrong? This is one of the reasons I feel so inadequate on my own to stand up and speak to a congregation. Who am I to talk to people about God and their lives? By what authority do I stand here and speak into the minds and hearts of men? The only thing I have to stand on is the world of God. My experiences shift and change as do my feelings. I need the bible to help me interpret them. By the comparison of my life and scripture I then have some basis of truth to live by and to share with others.
There are many times when we will get it wrong, whether we are young or old. I pray today first of all we would compare our lives with the story of scripture and second we would be willing to fully admit when we have it wrong. I also pray we would never have the arrogance to say, "one of perfect knowledge is here with you today." I suppose you could say it if you wanted to get laughed right off the stage.
I think this is a common problem among youth in general, but especially young pastors. I love the looks I get from students when I suggest something they just know isn't going to work, or be cool, or whatever. I know the look because I have given it to my senior pastor way to many times myself. "You really think I should just keep things running along without having a vision in place, it would be way better just to stop everything and start over don't you think?" And yet low and behold he was right.
With my students the looks they give me usually come from not understanding what I am talking about or not having the experience of knowing how these things go. The truth is they and I often find out we just don't know what we are talking about. There are many times I learn things from my students and my senior pastor has followed my lead on something that have turned out well. Paul writes to Timothy and tells him don't let people despise you because you are young, but be an example in faith, life, and purity. Youth is neither completely foolish nor completely wise as it is with age.
But Elihu makes an outlandish statement in Job chap 36. "One with perfect knowledge is with you." At least he says he got his knowledge from someone other than himself, but still "one with perfect knowledge?" This boy has been taking arrogance pills. he has some good things to say about the awesomeness of God, but his world view is so skewed. Job is suffering therefore he must have sinned. We know its not true in this story from the first few chapters of the book.
How often are we so convinced of our own world view and yet it turns out we are completely wrong? This is one of the reasons I feel so inadequate on my own to stand up and speak to a congregation. Who am I to talk to people about God and their lives? By what authority do I stand here and speak into the minds and hearts of men? The only thing I have to stand on is the world of God. My experiences shift and change as do my feelings. I need the bible to help me interpret them. By the comparison of my life and scripture I then have some basis of truth to live by and to share with others.
There are many times when we will get it wrong, whether we are young or old. I pray today first of all we would compare our lives with the story of scripture and second we would be willing to fully admit when we have it wrong. I also pray we would never have the arrogance to say, "one of perfect knowledge is here with you today." I suppose you could say it if you wanted to get laughed right off the stage.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Can God hear us when we are bad?
Do we hear the cries of our children when they have gotten themselves in trouble?
When I was about 12 I got picked up for shoplifting. Surprising I know, Pastor Cory arrested for shoplifting, but it's true. I have told this story before so I won't go into much detail this time. I remember sitting in the police station of my little town while the sheriff was calling our parents. I remember the response my friend got from his dad,"I should just leave him in jail over night so he can learn his lesson"(He came anyway). My parents came and picked me up, the car ride home was very quiet. I don't remember much more punishment then what the state was giving me.
As I look back on it now, I am grateful my parents came and picked me up that night. There was no, "leave him in there" comments. They came and got me and they listened to me when I told them what had happened even though I was in the wrong, I had disobeyed them and the state, and I had gotten my friend in trouble right along with me.
In Job chap 35 Elihu makes a crazy assertion. He says God doesn't listen to the wicked. He starts with asking rhetorically if God is affected by our sin and righteousness. The answer for him is no, only other men are affected by such things. Then he says God doesn't even give us the time of day. When we are wicked he doesn't heed us one bit.
For one thing I think he is arguing against himself, if our sin and behavior doesn't effect God, then why does Elihu say God punishes us for it. If God was truly detached from us he would just leave us alone completely. And then to say God only pays attention to us and to our prayers when we are good is crazy talk. What kind of Father, let alone a father in heaven, would God be if he ignored us when we are good or bad.
I believe in a God who loves his children, who listens to their cries, and who came down to the police station, was born as a baby, lived on this earth, and died on the cross to pick us up. He has no intention of leaving us down here to wrought in prison. He is coming back again to save us, to take us home.
Today may we see the heart of and intimate God who is involved in the lives of his children and will take them home. He listens to our every prayer no matter what condition we have gotten ourselves into.
Jesus loves me when I'm good, when I do the things I should. Jesus loves me when I'm bad even though it makes him sad. Yes Jesus loves me! Yes Jesus loves me! Yes my Jesus loves me! The bible tells me so.
When I was about 12 I got picked up for shoplifting. Surprising I know, Pastor Cory arrested for shoplifting, but it's true. I have told this story before so I won't go into much detail this time. I remember sitting in the police station of my little town while the sheriff was calling our parents. I remember the response my friend got from his dad,"I should just leave him in jail over night so he can learn his lesson"(He came anyway). My parents came and picked me up, the car ride home was very quiet. I don't remember much more punishment then what the state was giving me.
As I look back on it now, I am grateful my parents came and picked me up that night. There was no, "leave him in there" comments. They came and got me and they listened to me when I told them what had happened even though I was in the wrong, I had disobeyed them and the state, and I had gotten my friend in trouble right along with me.
In Job chap 35 Elihu makes a crazy assertion. He says God doesn't listen to the wicked. He starts with asking rhetorically if God is affected by our sin and righteousness. The answer for him is no, only other men are affected by such things. Then he says God doesn't even give us the time of day. When we are wicked he doesn't heed us one bit.
For one thing I think he is arguing against himself, if our sin and behavior doesn't effect God, then why does Elihu say God punishes us for it. If God was truly detached from us he would just leave us alone completely. And then to say God only pays attention to us and to our prayers when we are good is crazy talk. What kind of Father, let alone a father in heaven, would God be if he ignored us when we are good or bad.
I believe in a God who loves his children, who listens to their cries, and who came down to the police station, was born as a baby, lived on this earth, and died on the cross to pick us up. He has no intention of leaving us down here to wrought in prison. He is coming back again to save us, to take us home.
Today may we see the heart of and intimate God who is involved in the lives of his children and will take them home. He listens to our every prayer no matter what condition we have gotten ourselves into.
Jesus loves me when I'm good, when I do the things I should. Jesus loves me when I'm bad even though it makes him sad. Yes Jesus loves me! Yes Jesus loves me! Yes my Jesus loves me! The bible tells me so.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Who...is the king of the earth?
If this is the kingdom of heaven...then it God really is a mess.
I went to workout this morning at Portland Adventist Academy with some men of God and good buddies of mine. When we walked into the dungeon of a weight room in the basement of the school we noticed an interesting dichotomy. Glancing in the guys locker room we discovered a mess. All kinds of stuff on the floor; shoes, trash, dress shirts and ties, dirty socks and the odor went right along with it. So just out of curiosity we knocked and looked in the girls locker room. The floor was clean everything was in order, the dirty jersey's were in a laundry hamper the trash in the trash can and there was even a nice smell permeating the room. When I look at those two rooms it would be silly to blame the principal of the school for the mess or lack of mess in those rooms. The responsibility falls on the teams for their own space.
I think this is true of the planet we call home as well. There are parts of this world where things are well maintained and cared for. There are parts of this world where chaos reigns. Is it really fair to blame the God of the universe for the mess or lack of mess in this world he has given us? Even more so we are the ones who chose to give dominion to the enemy of God, so why are we surprised when suffering and godlessness reign.
In Job chap 34, Elihu continues is tirade against Job. He accuses Job of speaking as the wicked do, saying there is no benefit to serving God, which isn't true at all, Job never said he wasn't going to keep serving God. Elihu goes on to speak of the justice of God, God reigns over the earth so everything taking place is for his divine justice. Therefore once again Job needs to be schooled in what he has done wrong and accept his punishment, coming back to God so he can be blessed once more.
God is sovereign, he could wipe out all of humanity if he wanted to as Elihu suggested and and as the flood basically did, but he chooses not to. This world is under the reign of an adversary and the mess he and we make of this locker room has little to do with God. It was our responsibility to care for this place and each other, we gave the rule over to someone else. So now we are left with caring for each other in the middle of the mess.
May we take responsibility for our lives today and the care we can bring to other people. And when uncontrollable suffering strikes I pray we would give credit where credit is due...to the guy we put in charge.
There is a time coming as Job himself cried out for, when we will see our savior in the flesh and God's justice will once again reign when this kingdom of earth is restored to the kingdom of heaven. Oh how sweet the smell will be on that day!
I went to workout this morning at Portland Adventist Academy with some men of God and good buddies of mine. When we walked into the dungeon of a weight room in the basement of the school we noticed an interesting dichotomy. Glancing in the guys locker room we discovered a mess. All kinds of stuff on the floor; shoes, trash, dress shirts and ties, dirty socks and the odor went right along with it. So just out of curiosity we knocked and looked in the girls locker room. The floor was clean everything was in order, the dirty jersey's were in a laundry hamper the trash in the trash can and there was even a nice smell permeating the room. When I look at those two rooms it would be silly to blame the principal of the school for the mess or lack of mess in those rooms. The responsibility falls on the teams for their own space.
I think this is true of the planet we call home as well. There are parts of this world where things are well maintained and cared for. There are parts of this world where chaos reigns. Is it really fair to blame the God of the universe for the mess or lack of mess in this world he has given us? Even more so we are the ones who chose to give dominion to the enemy of God, so why are we surprised when suffering and godlessness reign.
In Job chap 34, Elihu continues is tirade against Job. He accuses Job of speaking as the wicked do, saying there is no benefit to serving God, which isn't true at all, Job never said he wasn't going to keep serving God. Elihu goes on to speak of the justice of God, God reigns over the earth so everything taking place is for his divine justice. Therefore once again Job needs to be schooled in what he has done wrong and accept his punishment, coming back to God so he can be blessed once more.
God is sovereign, he could wipe out all of humanity if he wanted to as Elihu suggested and and as the flood basically did, but he chooses not to. This world is under the reign of an adversary and the mess he and we make of this locker room has little to do with God. It was our responsibility to care for this place and each other, we gave the rule over to someone else. So now we are left with caring for each other in the middle of the mess.
May we take responsibility for our lives today and the care we can bring to other people. And when uncontrollable suffering strikes I pray we would give credit where credit is due...to the guy we put in charge.
There is a time coming as Job himself cried out for, when we will see our savior in the flesh and God's justice will once again reign when this kingdom of earth is restored to the kingdom of heaven. Oh how sweet the smell will be on that day!
Monday, December 13, 2010
If you agree...then you can speak
How often do we push our point until we are agreed with?
Do you remember as a kid getting in trouble for saying shut-up. Back in the day with the "s" word meant something else. "We don't say that word jonny, it's not nice." It seems we still say it in different ways. When we just keep talking, we don't listen, and we push our point until the person or people we are talking too acquiesce to our request.
Elihu in Job chap 33 basically tells Job to shut-up, unless Job is willing to agree with him. He goes on and on describing how Job's suffering must be the work of a persistent God trying to set Job strait, to get him to confess some hidden sin. This must be the reason. So he tells Job to sit quiet and listen while he teaches him. Unless he speaks in a way which shows he agrees with Elihu and is willing to confess his sin. Otherwise Job, shut-up!
I am reminded of the article Rich Mullins wrote about the nuts and bolts of Christianity. He told of how he had a conversation with his friend. He explained all the nuts and bolts of Christianity to him and he did it so effectively his friend couldn't comeback with any sort of argument on the subject. Then the friend said to Rich, "I just don't want to believe in your Jesus." There was nothing more to be said at that point.
What do we do when people don't agree with us? Do we keep pounding them done until they do? I guess the more significant question is, are we aware of them enough to slow down and actually find out what is on their heart and mind. If we give all the arguments in the world to prove our point, but don't know where they are coming from or what they want out of life, how will we ever speak to their need.
When we go to by a car we check out the mileage, the price, the mechanical engineering. But when it comes down to it we decide on it based on our needs and whether we like the color or not. We need to know the needs of the people around us and understand them if we are ever to articulate the gospel in a way they will accept it.
May we learn to see the need of those around us, understand who they are, and then share the picture of God from the vantage point and perspective that will make the greatest difference in their lives. We won't have to worry about trying to get them to shut-up because the will be so interested in what we have to say for the need that will be met in there lives.
Do you remember as a kid getting in trouble for saying shut-up. Back in the day with the "s" word meant something else. "We don't say that word jonny, it's not nice." It seems we still say it in different ways. When we just keep talking, we don't listen, and we push our point until the person or people we are talking too acquiesce to our request.
Elihu in Job chap 33 basically tells Job to shut-up, unless Job is willing to agree with him. He goes on and on describing how Job's suffering must be the work of a persistent God trying to set Job strait, to get him to confess some hidden sin. This must be the reason. So he tells Job to sit quiet and listen while he teaches him. Unless he speaks in a way which shows he agrees with Elihu and is willing to confess his sin. Otherwise Job, shut-up!
I am reminded of the article Rich Mullins wrote about the nuts and bolts of Christianity. He told of how he had a conversation with his friend. He explained all the nuts and bolts of Christianity to him and he did it so effectively his friend couldn't comeback with any sort of argument on the subject. Then the friend said to Rich, "I just don't want to believe in your Jesus." There was nothing more to be said at that point.
What do we do when people don't agree with us? Do we keep pounding them done until they do? I guess the more significant question is, are we aware of them enough to slow down and actually find out what is on their heart and mind. If we give all the arguments in the world to prove our point, but don't know where they are coming from or what they want out of life, how will we ever speak to their need.
When we go to by a car we check out the mileage, the price, the mechanical engineering. But when it comes down to it we decide on it based on our needs and whether we like the color or not. We need to know the needs of the people around us and understand them if we are ever to articulate the gospel in a way they will accept it.
May we learn to see the need of those around us, understand who they are, and then share the picture of God from the vantage point and perspective that will make the greatest difference in their lives. We won't have to worry about trying to get them to shut-up because the will be so interested in what we have to say for the need that will be met in there lives.
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