Job Prologue: “There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil. He had seven sons and three daughters. He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 teams of oxen, and 500 female donkeys. He also had many servants. He was, in fact, the richest person in that entire area.
Job’s sons would take turns preparing feasts in their homes, and they would also invite their three sisters to celebrate with them. When these celebrations ended—sometimes after several days—Job would purify his children. He would get up early in the morning and offer a burnt offering for each of them. For Job said to himself, “Perhaps my children have sinned and have cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular practice.” Job 1:1-5
For each of us the question becomes will our epilogue reflect and epic log of events or an epic slog of impact? We live in a time of 280 character communication, 21 second visual stimulation and assignment as an ‘influencer’ based upon the size of our social media audience. As I am increasingly blessed to meet and teach men, one of the recurring question’s for discussion is, are we living a life of impact? Do we awake each morning, look in the mirror and accept the truth that we are who God says we are? Is there impact in our purpose and lasting influence through our actions?
“The ultimate measure of a man (or woman) is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” Strength to Love, 1963 (Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.)
It is easy to read the greatest history, living and character development book ever written, aka The Bible, and get lost in the magnificence of the events that occurred and that are promised. This greatest of all books, provides hope, promise, life, love, expectation, and purpose. The Bible promises salvation and eternity to those who trust in the Lord. (Romans 6:23) It is a consistent, never changing, never “influenced,” always true resource for life and living. (Psalm 119:105) It is quite simply the testament to life example, love assurance, hope creating, joy defining and eternity offering bridge to the Source, the one and only God. The one and only Truth. The one and only lasting Love. The One and Only. (1 Corinthians 13:13)
As I fall deeper and deeper in love with God’s word and the teachings and assurances that it provides, I am convinced beyond convinced that the great examples of faith written about throughout this book of 66 books, would tell us that many of the moments of their lives seemed at the time, of little meaning and lesser impact. Frankly at times, their situation sucked from their perspective. I am convinced that Paul felt that he was being wasted as he unjustly sat in a prison, shackled, limited and only able to write to the Church. I am certain that he did not recognize in those moments, hours, days, months, years that his writings of encouragement, of correction, of guidance would someday make up two-thirds of the New Testament, be included in the greatest book of all times and introduce millions upon millions to Jesus Christ and relationship with the Father. I am convinced however, that as Paul sat in those conditions, he counted it all joy because of what he knew to be truth. Paul was a Pharisee and highly educated, holding the equivalent of two graduate degrees. He knew scripture better than most, understood and had a zeal for the laws of God and yielded to God on that road to Damascus that caused his life of significant purpose, to be come a life of significance in ways that God had planned and were rejected by the leading religious men of the day. The Way became Saul to Paul’s way to Christianity as we know it today.
“Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4 (NASB)
We live in a time and a culture that says ‘be significant, while doing nothing of significance.’ We are told to expect to be warm and comfortable without cutting wood for the fire. Conditioned to have impact without responsibility. To live life without living the life we were created to live. Quite frankly, Satan has created a culture that says “your significant,” while underlyingly eroding our belief in self, in others and most importantly, our belief and faith in the Creator of all things. God the Father never stops believing in you.
So the question for each of us is how will our epilogue read? At the beginning of this post I pasted the Prologue to Job and what an amazing statement it is. A blameless man, who stayed away from evil, believed in and feared God, attained wealth and status and petitioned God on the behalf of his children, concerned foremost about their relationship with the Father Creator of all things. Job’s priorities were in order.
Job’s epilogue reads better than his prologue. He passed the test. He was faithful to God in prosperity and adversity. And the greatest lesson in Job;s Epilogue and example for our lives, God proved faithful to Job.
I encourage you my brother or sister to seek and accept the plans that God has for you and the purposes that you are created to contribute to this broken World. Our significance is not defined by social media followers or career title but by the words that frame the epilogue and prologue of our lives. Lives surrendered to and living for our Savior.
He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.
John 3:30 (NLT)