What If Job Blogged?

Then Job spoke again: "If my sadness could be weighed and my troubles be put on the scales, they would be heavier than all the sands of the sea.  That is why I spoke so rashly.  For the Almighty has struck me down with his arrows.  He has sent his poisoned arrows deep into my spirit.  All God's terrors are arrayed against me.  Don't I have a right to complain? Wild donkeys bray when they find no green grass, and oxen low when they have no food.  People complain when there is no salt in their food.  And how tasteless is the uncooked white of an egg! My appetite disappears when I look at it; I gag at the thought of eating it! 'O, that I might have my request, that God would grant my hope.  I wish he would crush me.  I wish he would reach out his hand and kill me.  At least I can take comfort in this: Despite the pain, I have not denied the words of the Holy One.'" — Job 6:1-10, NLT

How much of Scripture, if written today, would be considered a personal blog of someone? The only difference: the blogs of today don't usually read like the "blogs" of Scripture.  Here's what I mean.  It seems like the blogs and tweets of Christians today, and most of the time I'm included, are about how amazing life is and how wonderful everything is going.  And you know what, I don't doubt that things are great a lot of the time.  However, are we as quick to blog and tweet about the tough times in life as we are about the great times? Are we willing to be raw and honest like the people of Scripture along this path that God has us on so that others who follow can find encouragement or are we portraying a carefree stroll through life to heaven with not bumps along the way? The only problem with the latter: that's not life.

As I'm going through Job in my quiet times once again, I first jumped to the fact that I'm so thankful that I'm not Job.  He went through so much.  He faced so much adversity in his life.  But do you remember why? Because God knew he could handle it.  God is the one who mentioned Job to the devil.  God is the one who knew that Job would still be committed to him no matter what Job faced.  God knew that Job could take it.  So now I ask: if my life is always so perfect, is it because of God's blessing or God's caution, knowing that I can't handle it in such a way that will bring him glory in the end? I'm just thinking out loud.

I was convicted as I read this chapter in Job, realizing how thankful I am for frankness and bluntness of Scripture, because I cannot tell you how often I have been encouraged in my walk with Christ through the misery of those who have walked with Jesus before me.  I know that sounds morbid and somewhat horrible, but it's true.  And for those that can't believe that I would even think this way, may I ask you why? Do you struggle? Do you doubt? Have you ever? Have you ever blamed yourself for something that only God ultimately controls resulting in you condemning yourself for something you have no control over anyway? Do you take credit for things that God is accomplishing, finding yourself in direct competition with God as you try to steal his glory? Do you struggle with pride? Pain? Loss? Heartache? Guess what: it's all in Scripture.

However, you may be reading this and say, "I don't deal with any of that."  Do you remember Christ's call on those who want to be found worthy to be his disciples? DENY SELF.  PICK UP YOUR CROSS DAILY.  AND FOLLOW HIM! Christ's path lead to Calvary.  We must carry our own crosses to the place that he leads.  If you're not experiencing any pain in life, then you're probably not living your life in this reality.  Or, maybe you're just kidding yourself and lying until it's over.

So, bloggers and tweeters, as well as Facebook status updaters, I challenge you: be honest in what you share.  I worry how many people who have struggled in any huge way have been pushed away from Christianity because of the fact that many of Christ's kids, including myself, don't tell the truth about how they are really doing.  Let's be real.  Let's be honest.  As we are and as we do, true life-change will result.  Will you do it?

Here's a blog of someone that I adore who I believe is blogging in all honestly, resulting in impacting the lives of everyone who reads her thoughts.  She is an incredible follower and lover of Jesus.

www.lisahusmann.wordpress.com