“And they will go to others and say, ‘We have sinned, we have perverted what is right, but we did not get what we deserved. God has delivered us from going down to the pit, and we shall live to enjoy the light of life.’ God does all these things to people-twice, even three times-to turn them back from the pit, that the light of life may shine one them.” –Job 22:27-30

I read this section of Job this morning, and it continues to be so refreshing to be reminded that the things we go through in life are never without purpose. God calls us to be pure, and views us as holy and upright, but only after we repent of our sins. It’s nice to know, and be reminded, that when we do go through things, are put through the proverbial fire, and sometimes even multiple times, God uses those times to teach us, to draw us closer to Him, and to cleanse us of our unrighteousness. Not to say that going through these times is enjoyable, but it’s good to realize that sometimes, we are just completely blind to what God is trying to show us. I know for me, I’ve been going through a really tough time in not being able to find a job. I was really questioning God, and asking what I was missing and not understanding. And it wasn’t until about last weekend when I finally figured something out; I was really wrapped up in finding a job that has some kind of special title-something that sounded cool, and good. I wanted so badly to be a ‘doer’ and was lacking on being a seeker. I had come to realize that all the time I was yelling in God’s face about how I don’t understand what He is doing and why He was continually not allowing me to have a job, I was missing the part about really asking Him what it is that He wants from me. I was so caught up in making myself feel special because of some job title, that I was missing out on serving Jesus. And back to Job, I am so thankful that despite my terrible attitude and being angry with God, that He loves me enough to continually put me through the fire when I’m missing the point, and sinning, so that I can be refined into the person He wants me to be. I’m glad I’m not the only one who gets put through the same fire-two, even three times!