Listening

“People cry out when they are oppressed. They groan beneath the power of the mighty. Yet they don’t ask, ‘Where is God my Creator, the one who gives songs in the night?” - Job 35:9-10

Elihu was a young man who’d overheard Job and his three friends arguing about Job’s suffering and their ideas about the cause. Notice the part where he says “Yet they don’t ask, ‘Where is God my Creator, the one who gives songs in the night?” So the young man’s not been paying attention apparently. Job 23:1-5 says “ Then Job spoke again: “My complaint today is still a bitter one, and I try hard not to groan aloud. If only I knew where to find God, I would go to his court. I would lay out my case and present my arguments. Then I would listen to his reply and understand what he says to me.”  It’s easy to “miss the forest for all the trees” isn’t it?

When people are going through a hard time, it’s easy to get caught on the specific words and, in the process, miss the broader meaning. We are messy. We struggle to get out all that’s stuck within, to express stuff that’s nearly inexpressible. We’re not sure what we’re feeling, what’s even happening at times, and then there’s always that one person who feels the need to score us in our suffering. I am sure I have been that guy - maybe you have too. I've got some apologies to make.

But there IS a point of considering the complaint, too. . When is my complaint just that - complaining? When am I being a cynic or critical? When is my pain legit and I need an ear, a shoulder, and maybe a helping hand? It can be hard to tell. It’s part of learning about ourselves and growing. The tricky part is listening to the Lord when we feel hurt. The Holy Spirit has to help us, that’s for certain.

What hurt people need is to be heard. Then, maybe to have us lend a hand. We have a lot of room to improve here. So today:

• work on SELF-assessment (Job had that going pretty well.)
• show grace on OTHERS-assessment (nearly everyone else in the Book of Job messed up this part)
• try to hear other’s heart and not just their words.

Spark.