By Emi Iwanaga

“Then Job replied to the Lord: 
“I know that you can do all things; 
no purpose of yours can be thwarted.”
...My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.”
‭‭Job‬ ‭42:1-2,5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Light, space, zest— that’s God!
So, with him on my side I’m fearless, afraid of no one and nothing. 
I’m asking God for one thing, only one thing:
To live with him in his house my whole life long.
 I’ll contemplate his beauty; I’ll study at his feet. 
That’s the only quiet, secure place in a noisy world, 
The perfect getaway, far from the buzz of traffic. 
Listen, God, I’m calling at the top of my lungs: 
“Be good to me! Answer me!” 
When my heart whispered, “Seek God,” 
my whole being replied, “I’m seeking him!” 
I’m sure now I’ll see God’s goodness in the exuberant earth.
 Stay with God! Take heart. Don’t quit. 
I’ll say it again: Stay with God.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭27:1, 4-5, 7-9, 13-14‬ ‭MSG‬‬

RESPONSE

Job’s friends their responses, have you ever listened to them?

            Rebuke, surmise, accusation 

Observing his life predicament,

            Reasoned something must be wrong with him.

They, in their response, stayed present with God?

Job his responses, have you ever listened to them?

            Recognition, surrender, affirmation

Experiencing his life predicament,

            Reasoned God is God and is having His way with him.

He, in his response, stayed present with God?

Other races, other ethnicities, other cultures, other life predicaments.

What’s our responses, have we ever listened to them?

Their responses, have they ever listened to them?

We/They, in our responses, oh to be found staying present with God!

            Staying present with God — His design.  His desire.

Emi Iwanaga served thirteen years as a missionary in Amazon Valley in Brazil, over 20+ years as a children’s ministry director, women’s ministry director, and pastor’s wife, and is currently a spiritual director.