Larry Lilly’s Letter 8-28-12
Early yesterday I was browsing through Jobs' book when a phrase hit me like the proverbial ton of bricks.
Job was going through a tough time that seemed to be a nighttime in his soul. He remembered the good times and the context points out some of the trappings the better times. I sure have had moments, even months like this. Notice what Job said Job 29:3: "When his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness;"
Moderns would call this the halo effect. Job mentions the near adulation that this effect brought to him. Now, for reasons known only to God this was no longer happening in his life. He was familiar with the ash heap, the vilification by enemies, the abandonment by former friends and even his wife encouraging him to die.
Job learned over time that God had not forsaken him, but was refining his life and heritage so effectively that his influence would flow through thousands of years to touch men and women who have found gems in the dark night of suffering. The halo effect was good for a while within the framework of his generation. Jobs' Valley of Suffering has impacted serious men and women for all time.
In times of absent halos look for Gold.
Job 23:10 "But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold."
Copyright (C) 2012 Larry Lilly
When baseball super star Josh Hamilton jumped off the wagon many called for him to quit. His wife Katie wrote: "Why is it that I, his wife, the one he hurt the most by far through this can forgive him, but they can't?"
Katie posed a good question, and my book, Outrageous Forgiveness In 30 Days may help you to forgive someone who doesn't deserve it..
Early yesterday I was browsing through Jobs' book when a phrase hit me like the proverbial ton of bricks.
Job was going through a tough time that seemed to be a nighttime in his soul. He remembered the good times and the context points out some of the trappings the better times. I sure have had moments, even months like this. Notice what Job said Job 29:3: "When his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness;"
Moderns would call this the halo effect. Job mentions the near adulation that this effect brought to him. Now, for reasons known only to God this was no longer happening in his life. He was familiar with the ash heap, the vilification by enemies, the abandonment by former friends and even his wife encouraging him to die.
Job learned over time that God had not forsaken him, but was refining his life and heritage so effectively that his influence would flow through thousands of years to touch men and women who have found gems in the dark night of suffering. The halo effect was good for a while within the framework of his generation. Jobs' Valley of Suffering has impacted serious men and women for all time.
In times of absent halos look for Gold.
Job 23:10 "But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold."
Copyright (C) 2012 Larry Lilly
When baseball super star Josh Hamilton jumped off the wagon many called for him to quit. His wife Katie wrote: "Why is it that I, his wife, the one he hurt the most by far through this can forgive him, but they can't?"
Katie posed a good question, and my book, Outrageous Forgiveness In 30 Days may help you to forgive someone who doesn't deserve it..
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