Job 7,8 and Luke 9

Job is going through the darkest time of his life; he’s lost everything and wants to die and get it over with (16). Then, in 8, his friend shows no sympathy. He offers up his opinion, his solutions, and his assumptions.

Job’s friend doesn’t offer to pray for him, to sacrifice for him, to clean his wounds, or to help in any way other than giving his opinion. I’ve probably done this too many times in my own life. Chapter 8 reminds me of what I need to do to help. To be a true friend, a follower of Christ. I need to listen, pray, sacrifice, remember the golden rule, and help. People don’t need my judgments, my opinions based on my assumptions; they need help.

‘Do to others as you would like them to do to you. ‘ Luke 6:31 https://www.bible.com/bible/116/LUK.6.31

‘Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.’ Proverbs 17:28 https://www.bible.com/bible/116/PRO.17.28

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Luke 9:23-25, 59-62

‘Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. ‘

What am I hanging on to? Are the things I’m hanging on to helping me get closer to Christ or distracting me? Am I looking back, trying to plow, while I’m not looking where I’m going?

I’ve not run a plow; I have run a bushhog and a riding mower. If I don’t stay focused, I can’t stay on the path. If I daydream a lot while mowing and don’t pay attention, I don’t cut straight lines, and I don’t stay on the straight path. If I tried to look backwards, I’d wreck for sure.

I need to focus on Jesus, moving forward in his light and perfection, without looking back.

Luke 9:23-24 https://www.bible.com/bible/116/LUK.9.23-24