Perfectionism...it's not so perfect

So obviously our Bible in a Year effort didn't go so well. Reasons? I'm sure they're varied. People have children now that didn't when we started. People are getting married now that weren't when we started. People have different jobs, more responsibility. People have moved. Life, it happens. For me though, I know part of my failing to consistently read the Bible in a year is because of my horrible habit of perfectionism.

I'm not saying I'm perfect. No one but Jesus is. But I am admitting that I struggle with perfectionism. So how does this hinder reading God's Word? Well, when it's in chronological order my perfectionist tendencies tell me I have to read in chronological order. But then I miss a day, which turns into two or three. I'm now farther behind than I was to start with and instead of just skipping ahead I feel compelled to read the days I missed, which ultimately overwhelms me and causes me not to read anything at all. Now how does that help? It doesn't.

So, as I approach a new year I'm making a commitment. No more perfectionism. I'm reading where the Chronological Bible is today without a care that I haven't read most of the 340 days before. And come January I'll start at the beginning. If I get behind...so be it. Maybe in 5 years I'll actually have read every page but until then, I'll do my best and that will be good enough.

I encourage you to join me in saying goodbye to perfectionism and hello to the only perfect thing in our world, the written Word of our loving Father.

Why do bad things happen

As I hear on tv about pretty bad things happening around the world I noticed I also hear about some pretty wonderful things people do for each other when bad things happen. A few months ago I remember thinking maybe this is part of why bad things happen - so that we have a chance to show people that they matter to us.

In Job I don't think God told him why all of the horrible things happened to him so I don't think we're supposed to know (at least not always). As I've been reading about these awful things happening to the Egyptians I noticed God explaining each time to Moses that these bad things are happening so that He will be glorified. So, I'm thinking maybe this supports my theory (or at least doesn't seem to refute it) - bad things are allowed to happen so that something really wonderful, that wouldn't have happened otherwise, can also happen.

Suffering

"Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?" Job 2:10

So, I know this was back in our readings awhile ago, but we know the majority of the book of Job is this back and forth discussion with people that believe Job really had to have done something to deserve such great suffering and Job who feels he is undeserving...

I know we talk to people all the time about why bad things happen and the extent of God's hand in it. I am not sure if there is even a true way to verbalize reasoning.... I know after all the suffering Job had belief still when he says:

"But as for me, I know my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the Earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God!" Job 19:25

I know that I still do not understand the moments of suffering I have had in my life, and I think I have come to a place where it is ok I don't understand.. one girl told me once that I don't want to be able to understand God fully because then He wouldn't be God...however, I do know that I am so ready for heaven and to see our Savior Jesus! (I am not suicidal, just excited. ha.)

Job - Background

Ok, so I said I would do the background on all the books we go through. I ask for you all to pray that I really take the time to absorb what I read and stop to listen to God's message in it AND keep up!

The book of Job is the first of the so-called poetic or wisdom books... group of five books including Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs. Obviously deals with the problem of suffering.

Scene of the book is in the Land of Uz. Thought to have been along the border between Palestine and Arabia, extending from Edom north and east towards the Euphrates River, skirting the route between Babylon and Egypt.

Job was thought to have links to be the same person as Jobab, the second king in Edom. The setting is thought to be among the descendants of Esau.

Nothing is known about the author of the book. Ancient Jewish traditions ascribed the book to Moses. While modern critics say that Job is the author at a much later date, but in the end it is the content of the book that is important. (amen!)

From: Halley's Bible Handbook

You Can't Take It With You...

I love verse 1:21 in Job:

"I came naked from my mother's womb,
and I will be naked when I leave.
The Lord gave me what I had,
and the Lord has taken it away.
Praise the name of the Lord!"

Oh that we could all have this response when something we love, or something we think we just can't live without, is taken away. In these crazy economic times, I pray that we are all praising God for opening up our eyes rather than just striking us dead! For showing us grace and mercy in spite of our materialistic ways. For forgiving us when we put our 'things' before Him and before our brothers and sisters.

My prayer is that these times will teach us to do without, to make do with less, to live lives focused more on giving than wanting. To remember how blessed we are - yes, by the tangible things but more importantly by our friends and family and the unbelievable love of Christ.

They became slaves..

So I find it interesting in Genesis 47:20-25 when all the Egyptians sold Pharaoh their land and they all became slaves; and they were happy about it!

I also think it's neat to see the very beginnings of what will later result in the Exodus. It's as if we want to say - "No, don't go!" But it's just a reminder of how 'all things work for the glory of God'. It's amazing really. I'm looking forward to Exodus....just gotta get through Job!

I hope this makes sense somewhat! I also hope you're all enjoying this journey!

Again

I may be stuck on this "she's my sister" thing, but how interesting is it that now Isaac is claiming that Rebekah is his sister? Like father like son. It makes me think of generational sins being passed down, and how they may have struggled with fully trusting God to protect them.