Brace yourself like a man because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them. – Job 40:7
This morning I read this verse spoken to Job by God, and I realized that it is a pretty extreme request.
It takes courage to stand before God truthfully.
It requires fortitude to allow the questions to come. To look deep into myself and examine my motives. To ponder my selfish ways and be willing to square off with them.
But answer the questions, I must.
No matter how painful.
No matter how revealing.
No matter how ugly the answers.
Because sometimes, I’ve got some ugly in my heart.
But answering the questions is where I will grow more like Jesus.
When I see myself as I truly am, I realize my need for redemption more acutely. And when I yield myself for reduction, it makes space for Kingdom multiplication.
I almost hear God’s challenging whisper, “Prepare to be questioned, daughter.”
And I want to answer this extreme request.
I do . . . Maybe . . . I think.
I pray I face this request with the hope of coming out on the other side with a truer understanding of myself and Father. With a better grip on my identity as the Beloved of Christ.
As I brace myself for such extreme honesty, I hope I tumble headlong into mercy alongside this brutal exposure. And trust Father to sway my soul with a perfect partnership of grace and truth in this revealing of me.
As I see myself more clearly, I want to see Father too. More clearly than I’ve ever seen Him.
So let the questioning begin.
And may the answers lead me to words that resonate with Job: I had only heard about You before, but now I have seen You with my own eyes.
Lord, lead me to a place of heartfelt repentance that brings me out on the other side stronger in You. May my weaknesses become opportunities for Your strength and power to manifest themselves more fully in me.
And may the end of my life’s story declare a life fully lived.
In You, sweet Savior.
In You.
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This post was written in conjunction with https://fiveminutefriday.com/2022/11/10/fmf-writing-prompt-link-up-extreme/ Teaming up with an online group of writers who encourage others to share the words God has given them. The gist is to write for five minutes on a one-word prompt, then post your writing and link up with others who do the same — no overthinking, no deep editing, just free-writing in a short amount of time.
I love this. When I read Job, I slink low when God says “Where were you when I ….?” But where would we be without His questioning and our submitting to His shaping and direction? Thank you for reminding me today of the work of His questioning.
It’s humbling to face the questions and my honest answers. But it’s also a necessary work, and a reminder of how desperately I need a gracious Father. Thanks for stopping by, Tina.
Too true, we all have some ugly in our hearts, and we need God’s questions, love and grace to chip it away and fashion it into beauty.
Just stopped by from FMF#14
Bringing beauty to the least likely places is Father’s specialty. I’m so grateful.
Let the questioning begin,
let my answers bend Your ear;
the chips are down, the fix is in,
I’ll tell You what You want to hear
as I juggle mortal flaws
with what I hope sounds like true faith,
hoping Bible’s holy laws
won’t come out in what You sayeth,
but something’s really going wrong,
You shake Your head with shyest smile
as I get through my distraction-song,
and hope I’m not for the Green Mile.
“I like the way you entertain;
now tell the truth, and start again.”
Visiting from FMF… Questioning does feel extreme; whether by humans or God. But the only one we truly answer to is God and we need to allow Him to mold us and shape us. Answering questions makes it a dialogue.