This I Believe

"During its four-year run on NPR, This I Believe engaged listeners in a discussion of the core beliefs that guide their daily lives. We heard from people of all walks of life — the very young and the very old, the famous and the previously unknown."

I loved listening to this program, hearing people speak honestly about beliefs that guided their lives. It always challenged me to think what I would say if/when I were asked the same question. Whenever the passage from Job appointed for today pops up in the lectionary cycle, I am reminded of my answer to the question, "What do you believe?"

Job 38. 1 - 17

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind: ‘Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?3 Gird up your loins like a man,   I will question you, and you shall declare to me.

4 ‘Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?   Tell me, if you have understanding.

After 37 chapters of Job's tortures and so called punishments, then his pleas and prayers to God begging for answers to why all this pain, God speaks...If I had to choose one line from scripture to guide my life and my belief it would be God's question to Job, "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?"

Though William Blake's depiction below is rather literal, it does the trick for me. When I doubt and cry and beg and wonder why God, why, this passage always comes to mind. I feel somewhat chastised by God as if God is saying, "how dare you doubt me!"

Life is filled with disorienting blows and circumstances...tragedies, disappointments, bullies and betrayals. It just is, and it will always be. But for me the message of Job is the greatest of all reminders that God was, is and always will be. God's Love will prevail and as William Faulkner said, we too will not only endure, but we will prevail. And as Julian of Norwich said, "All will be well, all will be well, all manner of things will be well."

What do you believe?