Life is full of mystery because some occurrences in life cannot be explained. A sudden occurrence that redirects one’s future without warning. Some refers to it as “life is not fair”. According to Frank Herbert, an American science-fiction author, mystery of life is not a problem to solve, but a reality to experience. The bible describes it as a divine order of things into which one must accept in order to enjoy the contentment that comes from knowing that God has all things under control. (Eccl.3:1-9) The lack of understanding and the inability to explain the reason behind the redirection of one’s future makes Life appear to be a mystery.

The intensity of the inability to find answer to why an unpleasant redirection occurs in one’s life is largely dependent on the feeling and perspective of the individual rather than the unpleasant circumstances itself. People react to the unfairness of life in a variety of ways. Some become bitter or angry and develop an attitude of pessimism, while some maintain their trust in God without doubt just like Job, who said, even if God slay him yet he will trust in God. (Job.13:15)

The lack of understanding of the reason behind Job’s suffering caused his wife to tell him to course God. Job’s three friends who came to sympathize with him wrongly accused Job of hidden sin. Elihu, a young by-stander condemned Job of justifying himself instead of God. However, God did not expressly accused Job of any guilt but charged him for talking out of knowledge. (Job.38:2) Job repented when he realizes that he had uttered what he did not understand and things which he did not know about God. (Job.42:1-5) As Christians we can evaluate and analyze the mystery of life in light of God’s word notwithstanding the inability to find complete answer to it. According to the scripture, some situation occurs as a result of divine judgement on sin, but not always, and in such cases, God may be leading the guilty to repentance and not to condemnation. (Luke.13:2-5) On other occasion its purpose is to produce spiritual growth, (Heb.12:5-11) and sometimes as in the case of Job, there is no immediate answer than that the work of God may be revealed. (John.9:1-3) Though Chapters 1 and 2 of the Book of Job provides brief idea into the background of Job’s suffering, only God knew the complete explanations of it.

It is always very difficult and unbearable when one is passing through difficult moment of life, but as Christian one should find solace in the word of God. It is not a time to curse oneself or the devil, or to proof one’s innocence or righteousness to God. It is time to submit oneself to God through biblical truths. To meditate on God’s word, engage Him in intensive personal prayers and if necessary, call for the elders of the Church and let them pray over him. Above all, it is essential that one believes that God is making the circumstance to work for one’s good according to God’s purpose. (Rom.8:28) Always remember, mystery of life is a divine order of things into which one must accept in order to enjoy the contentment that comes from knowing that God has all things under control. You should keep on trusting God. Job is a man like you; he did not stop trusting God until he overcame his troubled circumstances. Not only that God blessed him more than his beginning, but he also gained more knowledge of God as one who does things according to His own purpose. I pray that yours shall not be different. You will overcome whatever unpleasant circumstance you might be going through in the name of Jesus. Amen

Shalom

Evangelism It is only in Jesus one can have the peace of the Lord. Accept Him today as your Lord and Savior to become partaker of the peace.

Rev. Shobayo Kayode The Gospel Study Centre