Tim-inspired thinking post

I've been discussing with Tim over at his blog about posting up some
religious based stuff and whether it felt right to do so. We both
discussed that we sometimes feel unequal to the task and I'm still
cautious about it to be completely honest with you. I mean I'm no
theologian and I use this blog for posting up rubbish that pops into
my head, not like you know, serious things. I think there's also an
element of pride, as Tim mentioned, but also cowardice to use this
blog to talk about my God or Christianity which is stupid for two
reasons - firstly I should blog about what interests me, and second,
basically no one reads this thing and all those that do are Christians
anyway so what does it matter?

It is perhaps a little risky then that I start out with an exercise in
criticism, or at least what might appear to be so. I guess I should
firstly state that I am not critical of the song or it's writer. I
believe it is a good tool and has much instruction on living out the
Christian life, but I think it is one we don't necessarily think
through as we should. The tune is also an important element in
what I'm thinking about, so maybe if you haven't heard it you
should look it up on YouTube or something - or apparently
there's a GodTube now but I can't guarantee any content found
there! Anyhow, here's the latter half of the song, full lyrics aren't
hard to find if you want 'em. 


Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name


My reasons for bringing this up are because of a bible study done with
Ian Fry on the excellent Contagious youth week. In our group we
studied Job and had a look at his suffering under the excellent heading
 "how does God treat his friends?" which was very powerful and thought
provoking. One thing drawn up to the end was our perhaps unrealistic
attitude to suffering in Christian culture. I'm going to be very cautious
now as I don't have much experience in the area and I don't want to
inadvertently discredit either Ian or Matt Redman by what I'm writing
here and so I will stick to my usual 'something to think about' stance
rather than pretend to teach you something. 

The problem with the song is that the tune is quite upbeat, whereas the
words are actually quite somber. Not to say the tune is wrong, a durgey
 tune simply wouldn't work and there is a very real element of rejoicing
in suffering so I by no means think it's wrong, the problem is we as singers
forget the meaning of the words and get caught up in the moment and have
a risk of thinking it's easy for our hearts to choose to bless God, which from
my experience isn't true. Not when you compare it with the source for
the song and read the words of Job himself. 

"13 One day when Job's sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, 14 a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, 15
and the Sabeans attacked and carried them off. They put the servants to
the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" 

16 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"

17 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"

18 While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, "Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, 19 when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"

20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said:
"Naked I came from my mother's womb,
and naked I will depart. ^[c]
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
may the name of the LORD be praised."

22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.

Job is not exactly joyful here, nor is he stoically saying "naked I came..."
look at the verses immediately prior, watch him rip his clothes, shave off
his hair and collapse to the ground. The words that follow are not easy
words, it is not easy for him to claim that the LORD has taken away, it
is not easy for him to praise God, and yet he does. I haven't the faintest
idea what suffering, real suffering feels like and so I cannot hope to
offer worthy advice to a reader who for all I know may be
experiencing real physical or emotional pain so I will address
myself from now on as I know this is something I need to hear,
from myself if no one else.

I thank God for revealing some of his plan in suffering through the
book of Job. I thank Him for Job's example, his faith but also his
real confusion and even anger about what was happening, yet not
turning from God. I thank Him also for the song above that puts
some of these thoughts an principles to music that can be
addressed to Him.  And I pray that I might be able to grasp these
properly so that when suffering does come, though the pain and
anguish are no more diminished, I would still hold firm to him who
knows me, saved me and can keep me through all trials.

Please feel free to comment and to criticize, it's the only way I'll learn.

Word of the post: Acquaintance –noun  

1.	a person known to one, but usually not a close friend.