April 18

Read Job 1
September is a month that will always be defined by 9/11. April has become a month that commemorates the tragedy at Virginia Tech. We have other days in U.S. history that recall our collective national tragedies – as well as the ones that are celebratory. December brings Christmas, November – Thanksgiving. The fourth of July is always a fun long weekend.
It’s fitting that during this particular month, those of us participating in the NorthStar Community (whether in person or via the web) are working on a fourth step – a step that will include a remembering of both tragedy and triumph.

The book of Job is the story of a family that suffered for no good reason. Although Job’s “friends” try their best to explain the horrid events that unfold in this drama by finding fault with Job and/or his family – God makes it clear in the first chapter that those “friends” are way off base. As the stories of slaughter from Virginia Tech assail us – if the media is any kind of barometer – we want answers. We want to know why one young, disturbed man massacred over 30 students and faculty members. We want someone to blame. He’s a likely target, but is he enough? Can we blame more people? Can we come up with some policies and procedures that will give us the illusion of safety in a world where suffering strikes in alarmingly random ways?

Job provides no easy answers – and that’s good news. In spite of our desire to distill life into easily memorized formulas and platitudes, Job reminds us that simple solutions rarely capture the complexity and mystery of the will of God.

Here’s the deal. It’s freaky. In chapter 1 of Job, Satan and God are reported to have had a conversation. Let’s listen in. Satan – “I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on.”

God – “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless – a man of complete integrity. He fears god and stays away from evil.”
Satan – “Yes, but Job has a good reason to fear God. You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property….reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!”

What a story line! Think about what just happened. God painted a virtual target on the heart of Job, and pointed him out to Satan. Lest we forget, remember that Satan has only one purpose – “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy.” John 10:10 NLT

As we read through this book, this small exchange is going to haunt us.

Thought for today: Do you feel like someone put a target on your heart and begged Satan to take aim? If so, the book of Job is a must read.

Thought for tomorrow: The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” John 10:10 NLT