Happy first day of summer. When I think of summer nights there are two things that lay at its core of childhood memories for me – the sound of crickets and the stars in the evening sky. It’s amazing how the sense are heightened when we stop to encounter these two awe-inspiring parts of creation. We have to consciously bring them to the forefront; as they’re often the backdrop to a calm summer evening.
I’m reminded in this past Sunday’s readings of the God of Creation’s words to Job. Job, laden with despair just cannot fathom why he is experiencing such suffering. Job was a good and faithful man of God, yet God allowed him to suffer and lose the things he’d attained on this side of heaven. Job began to question God and his faithfulness. Friends stepped in and counseled Job with their understanding of the word, but then God steps in and speaks to Job himself.
Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said,
“Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
“Now gird up your loins like a man, And I will ask you, and you instruct Me!
“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell Me, if you [ag]have understanding, Who set its measurements? Since you know.
Or who stretched the line on it?
“On what were its bases sunk?
Or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together
And all the sons of God shouted for joy?
“Or who enclosed the sea with doors when, bursting forth, it went out from the womb;
When I made a cloud its garment And thick darkness its swaddling band,
And I placed boundaries on it and set a bolt and doors,
And I said, ‘Thus far you shall come, but no farther; And here shall your proud waves stop’?
Job 38:1-11
God’s words to Job may appear harsh at first, but what He wants him and us to know is that for each and every challenge, suffering, or no He chooses to send us, He has a plan and purpose for us. We cannot see the whole story. As I look up at the vast array of stars in the sky I know I could never identify the purpose of each one, yet God placed each one there for a reason.
This month had me asking WHY several different times and I had to be reminded of this reading from Job. The teller of lies pushes me to ask the question “Why, Lord?” or to utter “it’s just so unfair”. News of death and illness, holding friends in my arms that were bearing a pain too much for them to contain. It’s natural to want to know why these things take place, but we are reminded in today’s Media Monday by Nicole Mullen, that Our Redeemer Lives. He is good. He is faithful. And He is very, very much alive – not only in the bigger universe around us, but in the very small details of our little lives.
So this summer, tame the noise around you and focus on the stars in the sky. Picture yourself as one tiny little beam of light in a vast array of other lights – never forgotten, wonderfully and purposefully made and very much seen by the Creator of the stars.
It is beautiful the way you spoke about your father. My dad is in heaven but I loved spending time with him, reliving his beautiful memories, seeing his strength in difficult situations and enjoying his life, as a young man. We should share these memories while they are with us and love each other to the fullest, hugging, crying, laughing and kissing.
The video and song were beautiful and brought me back to what is important in life.
Thank you Joyce. I want to make sure I have those beautiful memories too! ??