"Why do you confuse the issue? Why do you talk without knowing what you're talking about?" Job 38:2 (MSG)

As a young man, I found myself as a guest at dinner table of V.I.P.s. The keynote at this dinner was a politician who was on the national stage and a was considered a serious contender for the White House should he think about running in the upcoming Presidential elections. At my table were a gaggle of his key aids and politically connected cohorts.

I like to think of myself as an intelligent person and I wanted to pretend that I belonged with this well connected and influential group.  I did my best to make conversation. I asked about the Senator's schedule and where else he was speaking. I asked about the Senator's thoughts on a potential run for the White House. I inquired about the Senator's views on certain political subjects. As the dinner went on, I got the distinct impression that something was wrong. The people at the table, the ones I desperately wanted to impress, were treating me like I was an idiot.

I was, in fact, an idiot. I later realized that the keynote was not a Senator but a member of the House of Representatives. With every question I asked about "the Senator" I declared my own basic ignorance. At a table full of political heavy hitters, I struck out several times over during the meal. I was clearly way out of my league.

When God finally answers Job and asks, "Why do you talk without knowing what you're talking about?" I had a flashback to that humiliating moment of realization. And yet, sometimes God uses our own discomfort and humiliation to teach us a valuable lesson or two.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and marco40134

"Do you have any idea how God does it all, how he makes bright lightning from dark storms, How he piles up the cumulus clouds— all these miracle-wonders of a perfect Mind?" Job 37:15-16 (MSG)

In an age of science and humanism, it's easy to lose the wonder and mystery of almighty God. Many centuries after Elihu made his ancient plea to Job I found myself uttering "yes" to some of his questions. We have come to understand much of how lightning and cumulus clouds are formed. We've unlocked many of the mysteries of nature. We've put men on the moon. We've peered into the depths of the universe. We've even begun to recreate life through cloning. People are freezing their bodies in anticipation of a time when science will redeem their bodies from the grave. We've been told that nothing is impossible for human science given enough time and funding.

And yet, there is so much that we don't understand. There is so much at the core of life that eludes us. There are so many theories that are introduced as fact. No wonder so many despair.

We've rebuilt Babel with DNA strands, test tubes and CAT5 cable. We've touched the heavens. And, somewhere along the line, we lost our souls.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and Frank de Kleine

"But those who learn from their suffering, God delivers from their suffering." Job 36:15 (MSG)

While on vacation this week with friends, the adults have been having purposed conversations about ourselves. We didn't want to waste the opportunity to spend a week together and not get to know one another better. One of the instruments used in kick-starting our conversation is the "If" book, a deceptively simple book of conversation questions that start with the word "if."

One of the questions that prompted the most intimate conversation among our group was "If you could choose one mistake in life to undo, what would it be?" A host of mistakes I've made on my life journey sprung to mind. Yet, as I pondered each one, I realized that for every major mistake I've made in life there is a corresponding life lesson that has served me well. I might want to undo the mistake, but I would never want to give back the wisdom I gained from suffering through the mistake and its' consequences.

Elihu provides a nugget of truth in alluding to the fact that there is purpose in our pain. When we purpose to learn from our mistakes and from the suffering we experience, we gain wisdom that keeps us from future grief.

"When times get bad, people cry out for help. They cry for relief from being kicked around, But never give God a thought when things go well, when God puts spontaneous songs in their hearts." Job 35:9-10 (MSG)

There are several snippets of God's message that I've committed to memory. Some, because I consciously chose to memorize them, and others because they just seemed to stick their on their own. One of the lines that just sort of stuck is this one: "When you have eaten and are satisfied, thank the Lord your God for the good land he has given you."

That little verse comes up almost every time I enjoy a good meal. This week, as my wife and I have been vacationing with friends, we've spent every evening at the table together. Three families enjoying great food, great wine, and amazing conversation together. In that moment when I feel the satisfaction of being full, when I sigh with contentment and stretch back from the table, then the verse comes popping out of my soul. "When you have eaten and are satisfied, thank the Lord your God for the good land he has given you."

I don't want to be like those Elihu describes in Job 35. I'd like to spend every day recognizing and thanking God for the good land, good family, good friends, good chuch, and good home He has given me.

"When times get bad, people cry out for help. They cry for relief from being kicked around, But never give God a thought when things go well, when God puts spontaneous songs in their hearts." Job 35:9-10 (MSG)

There are several snippets of God's message that I've committed to memory. Some, because I consciously chose to memorize them, and others because they just seemed to stick their on their own. One of the lines that just sort of stuck is this one: "When you have eaten and are satisfied, thank the Lord your God for the good land he has given you."

That little verse comes up almost every time I enjoy a good meal. This week, as my wife and I have been vacationing with friends, we've spent every evening at the table together. Three families enjoying great food, great wine, and amazing conversation together. In that moment when I feel the satisfaction of being full, when I sigh with contentment and stretch back from the table, then the verse comes popping out of my soul. "When you have eaten and are satisfied, thank the Lord your God for the good land he has given you."

I don't want to be like those Elihu describes in Job 35. I'd like to spend every day recognizing and thanking God for the good land, good family, good friends, good chuch, and good home He has given me.