"Why Me, Abba?" The Story of Job - by Oluwatoyin Odunuyi

When people mention Job in the Bible, they usually focus on his faith or how he lost everything. But honestly, have we ever stopped to think about how scary and frustrating his life really was? God and the enemy talked about Job, and this man had no clue that a bet was placed on his loyalty. He was just on his own. Imagine you’re on your own drinking your matcha juice, and there is a plan to send a 6ft fine and hot black man with tattoos your way to ‘talk to you’,Nah, that can’t happen?I laugh in ‘God-do-your-thing’So, for those who don’t know who Job is: Here is a recap: Job was a good God-fearing man with a lot of wealth and a great reputation. Then, in a short time, he lost everything. His animals were stolen, his servants were killed, a storm destroyed a house and killed all ten of his children, and he was left covered in painful sores.Despite the literal ashes he was sitting in, he famously said: “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”That’s incredible faith. But honestly, if I were in Job’s place, I would have had a lot of questions. Like, why me, God?Things got even worse when his friends arrived. With friends like that, who needs enemies? Instead of helping and encouraging, they spent a long time blaming him, saying that God only punishes the wicked, so Job must have done something terrible in secret. Some friends should stick to giving a hug and praying for you in tough times, instead of coming up with ‘solutions’.Job sha stood up for himself and still asked God for answers.And what did God do? For a long, painful time, God stayed completely silent, and this may sound similar to you; but I want to chirp in that God’s silence doesn’t mean that he doesn’t care. There is always a reason for something.When God finally answered Job, He asked a series of humbling questions about how the world was made. In short, “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?”This was a reminder that God is God, and he can do whatever he pleases. His ways are not our ways.Job humbled himself; God corrected his friends for their bad advice, and in the end, Job’s health and fortune were restored; he received twice as much as before.But this is what is crazy. Job didn’t have ‘insights’ into whether his life was going to be better. You know how you go through tough times, and you remember the picture of prophecy God has shown you? Job didn’t have that; He just had to rely on God and who He is. It reminds me that even when I don’t have ‘visual proof,’ things will be better; God’s faithfulness and his perfect character should be enough. This story reminds me that faith doesn’t come with having all the answers; It is trusting God even when nothing makes sense. It also reminds me that suffering isn’t always because we did something bad. You may have that friend who is complaining to God, “ Why me, Abba? Did I steal someone’s pot-bellied husband? Did my meat-stealing days catch up to me? Is it because I insulted my teacher’s hairline?”No, those are not reasons for your suffering. Sometimes, things happen. It also reminds me that there is a bigger plan, even when things seem broken.So, that’s the lesson I learnt from Job. Next month, we will talk about another bible character; maybe Samson and how he was gullible enough to trust a deceptive woman with a secret after it was clear she was trying to harm him. I can just bet that Delilah had a big bum because we know how they are.Another lesson is to learn to forgive others when they hurt you; Job forgave his friends for the harsh judgment; so, in other words, forgive, forget, but be wiser; and don’t run from God’s presence when you’re going through a tough time; sit with him, pray, cry, lament, but receive strength in that place.That’s it for today.If you feel you’re in a quiet season right now, you’re doing everything right, but God seems silent, hold on. God’s silence doesn’t mean He’s not there. Like Job, there is a restoration for you there, and may you receive thrice of what you lost in Jesus’ name.Alrighty! Stay strong and keep your faith.Love,The ever-strong one, Twi-Twi

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