KEEP PROGRESSING

Job, a father of socially mature children. He was wealthy and respected in his community. From the world's perspective, Job seemed like a mature, established, and 'finished' man. The Bible also describes Job as righteous and upright, fearing God and shunning evil. However, when God allowed Satan to test him, it turned out that Job still debated, not only with his friends but also with the Lord. He questioned and 'judged' God for the suffering that befell him.

Apparently, there was still an aspect of Job's understanding that was not fully matured. This shows that spiritual maturity is not about biological age, but a faith process continually shaped by the Lord. Through the process of loss, pain, and long struggles, Job learned that not everything can be measured by logic. There comes a time to stop asking 'why?' and instead say 'blessed be the name of the Lord!'. Eventually, Job came to the confession, 'My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.'

From Job, we learn that there is no stopping point, but a continuous progression towards spiritual maturity. Even if one is mature in age and experience, the Lord can still refine us to grow deeper in faith. The young need to grow. The old also need to be educated by the Lord towards deeper maturity. The Lord longs for us to know Him, not only through hearsay, but from personal experiences and encounters with Him. --EBL/www.renunganharian.net