While attending Seminary, I was introduced to Dan Jenkins, a Christian and retired Senator. After spending time with him, he assisted the ministry team God has called me to. He procured a number of bookings for us. Eventually, one of those bookings drew me to a mega church where the results of one of our programs ended up landing me on the church’s staff. The time there proved to be quite a learning experience when it comes to the “business” of church. I found no great joy in that. However, I did covet the position of pastor or preacher. God’s wisdom kept me out of that position but He did give me an opportunity to interact with and observe a dynamic preacher who loved God, knew the scriptures backward and forward, fill that role and in some ways suffer from some of its trappings.

I never really understood how things got off course at the church until multiple journeys through the book of Job. It was easy to see the arrogance and lack of humility in Job’s “friends.” However, after the book’s first two chapters you get a sense of Job’s stature in God’s eyes, making it easy to overlook his pride of life during his discourses. He was truly a good man, had done many things for the betterment of his society, had gained a great deal of respect and truly made a concerted effort to serve God. What’s wrong with that? Absolutely nothing. However, when you get to Chapter 38 and hear God start railing on Job through the next few chapters, it makes you wonder. Even though you feel better with God’s reprimands of Job’s friends, you still kind of wonder about the whole thing.

There are multiple incidents prior to chapters 29, 30 and 31, but those provide us with our best illustrations. In Chapter 29 Job longs for the “Good old days” when he was blessed beyond measure, had everything he needed and people respected him. In chapter 30 Job complains that younger people don’t respect him and are trying to destroy him, its God’s fault that he is sick and depressed, and since there is no relief he whines about the possibility of dying. In Chapter 31 Job makes an elaborate display of counting the ways he has lived righteously, maintained a love and heart for God’s law and been the first to aid and assist anyone who needed help throughout his life. And you know what – he was right! Job had lived a righteous and holy life. God confirmed that in front of the angels.

Job’s condemnation did not come because of his unrighteousness; it came because he was “proud of HIS accomplishments.” What Job could not see was that his success and prosperity was because God had built a hedge of protection around him. He made his path straight because Job’s commitment was strong. Job must have been in his mid 50’s based on his children’s independence. There was plenty of time for his strong track record to build his pride which was the basis of his sin. When I look at young professional athletes, or celebrities, it is easy to see how they can lose perspective even with a saving faith.

Kids, I pray that each of you will take your successes in life as a blessing from a Sovereign God. Realize it is there, not just to reward your efforts but to test your character. Keep it in perspective. Remember that the higher the profile an individual carries, the greater the fall and the more people they impact when they stumble. A quiet life ain’t that bad.

Love Dad