October 12, 2015

“Then Job answered: “Today also my complaint is bitter; his hand is heavy despite my groaning. Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his dwelling! I would lay my case before him, and fill my mouth with arguments. I would learn what he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me. Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No; but he would give heed to me. There an upright person could reason with him, and I should be acquitted forever by my judge.” Job 23:1-7

“What Job is doing is giving voice to his longing. The key sense of this idiom is a longing for a different reality, a reality as different from the present one as possible. What Job wants, is precisely what Job is not experiencing–God’s presence. It might be worth reframing Job’s fervent wish, perhaps with something like, “What I wouldn’t give” to know where to find God. Job has already “given” (read: had taken from him) everything to end up where he is−his family, his wealth, and his physical health, and now he seems on the verge of giving up his spiritual health as well, just to get at God.

This longing, this desperate need for–if not an answer to the whys of suffering, then at least some sense that God is near, concerned, interested, caring, something–is sure to resonate with anyone who hears it.” (Commentary on Job 23:1-9, 16-17; Karl Jacobson, “Working Preacher” website)

How far would you go to find G*d? One of the tenants of the Muslim faith is the Hajj – the pilgrimage to the site of Mecca. Every Muslim, if they have the means, is to make at least one Hajj to the religious site — it is one of the five pillars of Islam. Here is one description of the purpose of the Hajj:

“The Hajj is an event of great spiritual, moral, and worldly significance. It is an opportunity for purification and for strengthening our relationship with our Lord. It is an act of formal worship and devotion with prescribed rites to be carried out. At the same time, carrying out those rites along with a huge crowd of our fellow Muslims teaches us the virtues of patience, good conduct, and love in how we relate to our fellow pilgrims.”

These words came from a website devoted to explaining why the Hajj is so important to Muslims. And part of the experience is to find a way to persevere when there are hundreds of thousands of people joining you on the same Hajj. It is said that if a pilgrim loses their shoe among the throng of people traveling in the Hajj, because there are so many people, they are told to “Be patient. Keep going. Do not panic”. And if a pilgrim should die during the Hajj, then their life has been one of perfection. As I write this, more than 750 pilgrims died on the Hajj to Mecca this September – they died in a stampede. Through the pilgrimage of the Hajj, the religious devotee has the opportunity to discern their relationship with G*d and to anticipate meeting G*d at the end of the journey. And even if they do not get all of the answers they are hoping for, they still have the assurance that G*d has not abandoned them, is still near, and still loves them.

Where do we find G*d as Lutherans? Some Christians will make a journey to the Holy Lands, perhaps not seeking G*d so much as hoping to be in the presence of G*d as they walk in the footsteps of Jesus. For those who cannot make a pilgrimage, we know we find G*d in the word, in the sacraments, and wherever two or three gather in his name. When you feel that you cannot find G*d, I encourage you to make your way to church, or to a bible study, or to a gathering of believers. Together we can find G*d – and together patiently wade through discerning G*d’s will.

Pastor Dave