By Steve Horn
ALEXANDRIA, La. – Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised. (Job 1:21 NIV)
Perhaps you have seen the meme that says, “Have you realized that 2022 is pronounced 2020 Too?” Unfortunately, the early days of 2022 seem like a repeat of what we have experienced over 2020 and 2021.
Job’s story doesn’t lend itself to New Year optimism. Or does it?
Though Job experienced much pain, he also exhibited unfathomable peace.
It is with incredible peace that:
Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then, he fell to the ground in worship and said:
Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised. (Job 1:20-21 NIV)
Where did that incredible peace come from in Job’s life? And, can we have that same kind of peace?
Let me note three things about Job.
- He lived on purpose. Job 1:1 reveals that Job was “blameless and upright” and “feared God and shunned evil.” Peace comes when the purpose of life is summed up with the words “fear God.”
- He lived in praise. Job fell to the ground “in worship.” What an incredible testimony especially in light of what Job endured.
- He lived with an eternal perspective. “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart.” That simple perspective about live has a lot to do with whether we live life in peace.
So, what about this for a roadmap to 2022?
Live your life . . .
On purpose.
In praise.
With eternal perspective.
Steve Horn is Louisiana Baptists’ executive director.
