Monday 19 September 2011

Is it too good to be true...


Authentic. adj. true to one's own personality, spirit, or character.

Is it too good to be true... If so, it's easy to start explaining away, or justifying people's apparent goodness, and concluding that it's simply a case of convenience; They have a positive attitude because they have no real challenges; they are generous because they can afford to be; they’re willing because they have the time; they’re always grateful because they’re blessed. It’s obvious the reason they are the way they are is because of their fortunate position in life. However if that wasn’t their life experience, I’m sure it would be a different story! Assumptions like these can prove to be glib and misguided, as the following account of Job's intense character probe reveals.

Many would be familiar with the adversity that beset Job, and that tragically unfold in his life. Literally, all hell breaks loose on this reputable man! This is a classic case where bad things happened to a good person. It all started with this assertion; that Job had good reason to fear God. The arguable reasons behind why were due directly to God’s wall of protection around him, his home and his property, and that (God) made him prosper in everything.

God spoke very highly of Job saying; He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless – a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil. As you can see Job was a prime candidate for the blessing of God, and as a result was the greatest and richest of all the people. Job was the real deal but his authenticity and motive in question, as it seemed too good to be true.

God, confident in the character of Job, said to His adversary with strict conditions; All right, you may test him. Job subsequently was on the intense end of a strategic assault on his personal assets; his family; and then on his health, in an attempt to expose him as being superficial and insincere. However through these relentless attacks, severe setbacks and devastating events, it says he did not sin by blaming God; he said nothing wrong; and maintained his integrity.

Billy Graham is aptly quoted saying; When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost. Job may have lost his wealth and his health, but he said; I'll not deny my integrity even if it costs me my life. I'm holding fast to my integrity…and believe me, I'll never regret it. Its been said that tribulation is a test tube, and nothing is proven until it is tested, and Job inadvertently proved many things as he endured tribulation with integrity and dignity.

Unlike the example of Job, human nature tends to blame and critique God, questioning His character in tough and challenging times (more quickly than we attribute good to Him.) We desperately and understandably seek answers to tragedy, crisis and unexplained events. We overanalyse and ask rhetorical questions; what have I done (or not done) to deserve this, only serving to confuse and self-condemn. In Job’s case though, he was blameless. Someone once said; The true test of character is not how much we know how to do, but how we behave when we don't know what to do. Job’s honorable example graciously instructs us in the art of prudent responses. Despite the well-meaning yet perverse counsel he received by those closest to him, he was well guided by the high standards of his own convictions.

Throughout the trial, Job had a real and robust personal encounter with God. Coming out the other end, Job testifies, I had only heard about you (God) before, but now I have seen you with my eyes. How we view God in our circumstance is critical, and does determine whether anything good arises from the ashes. Job’s testimony is as follows, The Lord restored Job. The Lord blessed the later days of Job's more than the beginning.

As Job experienced, there are many things we don’t have control over. Circumstances change, context continually shift, and many times unpredictably and without our consent. One thing that we do have control over is our character. There are times you have no control over what happens to you (or said about you), but you do have control over how you choose to respond to it. When circumstances are beyond your control, take courage that your character is not. 


Other related reading; Character Calibration, Stand Your Ground

1 comment:

  1. Nathanael, love the summation - we can't control the events around us but we can impact them by how we react to them. Whether a time of testing of a season of glory, our reactions will be seen and often scutinised by those around us - especially when you profess to being Christian.

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