Faith in the Fire

Alright, now, an’ bless my boots, Butterbean, pull you up a porch rocker that does not git to squealin’ like a hog ‘a-sittin’ on a harmonica on this here front porch ‘cause we’re about to be ‘a-goin’ for a lil’ ol’ stroll into one of the deepest questions God’s people have done ever asked. Job 23:10 says, “But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.” That there verse done came ‘a-slidin’ into my heart softer than a lil’ ol’ barn cat ‘a-creepin’ toward a warm windowsill, and it done reminded me that God is always ‘a-seein’ the whole trail even when we can’t be ‘a-seein’ it past the next ol’ pothole.

Now let me be ‘a-tellin’ you, when you gitta’ askin’ God, “Why?” it’s ‘bout as common a thang’ as a rooster ‘a-crowin’ at the wrong time of day. David done asked, “Why?” Elijah done asked, “Why?” Jeremiah done asked, ”Why?” Even Jesus done cried out, “My God, why have You forsaken Me?” in Matthew 27:46. And then, there’s Job, bless his heart, ‘a-sittin’ in ashes, ‘a-scratchin’ boils with a broken piece of pottery, ‘a-lookin’ like he done had been run over by a stampede of real confused goats. His livestock was done gone. His children was done gone. His health wasdone gone. His friends was ‘a-blamin’ him. His wife was ‘a-tellin’ him to be givin ’up. If’n anybody ever had a right to be ‘a-hollerin’, “Why?”, it sho’-nuff’ was Job.

Job said in Job 23:3-5 that if he could jus’ be ‘a-findin’ God, he would be ‘a-marchin’ right up to His courtroom and ‘a-layin’ out his case like a lawyer with a real good stack o’ evidence. But God was not ‘a-givin’ out explanations. He was ‘a-givin’ revelation. He was ‘a-showin’ Job that His ways are a whole lot bigger, deeper, and wiser than anything our lil’ ol’ pea brains can be ‘a-figurin’ out. And sometimes, the Lord done lets us be ‘a-walkin’ right through places where only He can be rescuin’ us, so that when He does do that there rescuin’, we can’t be ‘a-pattin’ ourselves on the back. We can only be ‘a-sayin’, “Only God could have done this.”

Thats ‘why ol’ Job done finally declared, “When He tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.” He was ‘a-sayin’, “I don’t git it. I sho’- nuff’ don’t like it. But I’m ‘a-trustin’ Him.” And that, Buttercup, is where the real good gold gets ta’ bein’ made. It ain’t in comfort, but it’s in the real searin’ fire.

Father, be ‘a-helpin’ me to be ‘a-trustin’ You when this here ol’ life done gits to feelin’ hotter than a lil’ ol’ goat in a jalapeno pepper patch. Be remindin’ me that You done be ‘a-seein’ what I can’t. Be ‘a-purifyin’ my faith. Be strengthenin’ my heart. And be ‘a-bringin’ me through every trial ‘a-reflectin’ more an’ more of You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Well, goodness gracious, now, Butterbean, as you go to steppin’ right on back into your day today, you gotta’ be rememberin’ that real gold ain’t made on the easy streets o’ laziness. It’s done made in the real hot confines o’ fire an’ hot heat. When life done gits to feelin’ like a storm ‘a-blowin’ real hard through a chicken coop, you gotta’ be ‘a-holdin’ real tight to the God who done is ‘a-knowin’ ‘zactly where you is ‘a-goin’. And when He gits ta’ bringin’ you out, you gonna be ‘a-shinin’ real bright in some real new ways that only He could be ‘a-shapin’.

With joy,

Gwen