Brutal Beauty

If you know anything about the life of Job, one would not want to change places with him. The heartache and loss that Job experienced was traumatic and deeply painful. It included the loss of his 10 children, his personal health, and all of his wealth.  Job suffered at the physical, emotional and spiritual levels. Yes, when you read the story of Job it is brutal. But he never turned his back on God or became bitter, cursed him or renounced him through all this test. Did God restore him twice what was taken in wealth, livestock and years? Certainly. But what Job gained from this trial, that many historical scholars believe was a year or many months long experience, outweighed them all. 

Job says, “My ears had heard of You, but now my eyes have seen You.” Job 42:5

Job was forever transformed. He was a devoted God-fearing man before the challenges began; but when he came out the other side, he was different. His understanding of God moved from head to heart knowing.  He now knew first hand, for he had a personal heart-to-heart encounter with God. 

I’m not suggesting that this same experience is necessary for each of us to journey, but don’t waste your sorrows. Each us will have and have had points of pain, heartache, sorrow and loss; and if we keep our hearts open and our minds from bitterness or resentment, we will find our eyes lifted.  We will see him in fresh beauty and greater fullness. And what’s so amazing is that this knowing and seeing him for who he is will never pass away or be taken from us.