Job or job: Equipped

I'm studying the Book of Job. And as I was reading it this morning, a thought struck me—very simple, yet to me profound. 

The word "JOB" can be read one of two ways.

1) as a name: as in Job. "Job was a man who lived in Uz." Job 1:1.

2) as a responsibility: as anything a person is expected or obliged to do; duty; work.

As I continue to study the book of Job, I continue to realize that Job was chosen by God for a specific "job (responsibility)". Another thing that I came to realize is that God chose Job based upon Job's relationship with God. "Job was honest inside and out, a man of his word, who was totally devoted to God and hated evil with a passion." (Job 1:2). 

Job's relationship with God was key and very evident as Job endured each trial Satan sent his way. That solid relationship is even displayed throughout the conversations Job has with his "friends" who came to give their wisdom. Job had a solid understanding of God and no matter what happened to Job, He knew that God still was worthy of respect and honor.

Because of Job's relationship with God, God was able to give Job a very special job (responsibility)—to show that God is worthy of honor, worship, glory, and praise not because of what God does or doesn't do, but rather because of WHO God is. 

In Oct 2000, I injured my back. As the days, months, and years went by with no relief from the pain, a commitment I made to God in College in 1982 became very real. I had told God that I would..."BE whatever HE wanted me to be—WHERE EVER He wanted me to be." It wasn't up to me to "dictate" to God what I'd be or where I was to carry out my job (responsibility).

It's humbling to know that God has allowed me to interact so many others, all from my Daybed. I don't have to travel around the world. I don't have to be "perfect and pain-free" to be used by God. God has allowed me to be in pain so that I can accomplish the specific job (responsibility) He chose for me—sharing God's amazing, unconditional love.

I don't see my "pain" as a "disability" in fulfilling my God-given job (responsibility). Rather, I see my "pain" as a tool to fulfill the task given me. God equipped me with the tool necessary so that I could do the job God wanted me to do! Pain as allowed me to meet people whom I NEVER would have had contact if I wasn't 'disabled'. Pain has allowed me to have a greater understanding of what so many others endure on daily basis. And pain has taught me more about God and His amazing care and love for me. 

^"This is my life work: helping people understand and respond to this Message. It came as a sheer gift to me, a real surprise, God handling all the details. When it came to presenting the Message to people who had no background in God's way, I was the least qualified of any of the available Christians. God saw to it that I was equipped, but you can be sure that it had nothing to do with my natural abilities."  Ephesians 3:7, 8 (The Message)

Creating a positive day is about accepting the job (responsibility) God has planned for me—whatever that is, and where ever it may take me.