“How old is God?” Abe asked. How would you answer Abe’s very serious question? Abe waited patiently as I paused to catch my thoughts. I took a deep breath and said, “Abe, I believe what the Bible says. God always was, even before the beginning of the world and he always will be. He is eternal – he wasn’t born and he never dies.” “Oh.” Abe said, and then jumped into a flurry of other questions that came to his mind as a result of my answer.

Questions are really important. Finding a mentor who can question and answer questions from a truly godly perspective, where the questions and answers are directly from God, is a gift from God. There is a time to sit and listen without speaking where we let questions and answers soak in to the fiber of our being. God calls us to learn that he has our past, present and future in his hands; we are called to grow up in our faith and understanding, trust and hope; we are called to think with the mind of Christ, not in our old ways but in the new way he has placed within us.

Job, the man whom God took everything from to test his faith, had a couple friends who sat with Job, commiserating with him about his life and the ways of God. They thought they had everything figured out with Job, “Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: ²"Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? ³ Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me.  ⁴"Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.” Job 40:1-4

Job had no choice but to fully rely on God for life and mercy. Scripture records, Then Job answered the LORD and said: ²"I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. 'Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?'Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. ⁴'Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.' ⁵I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; ⁶therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes." Job 42:1-6 God restored Job’s health and wealth after this repentance, but Scripture records an agonizing journey into his heart and understanding of God.

There are times when we are called to listen; carefully listen with awe to the people God has placed around us through which he calls us to a deeper understanding of his life in us and our life in him. We are called to say, “I will believe and trust the word of God in spite of not understanding. I will give up the fight to be right, because most of those battles are against God and my understanding of him. I will receive with thanksgiving, ask hard questions, and rest in the answers from God.”

Asking questions is so important – please ask either me or those around you who have understanding from God. Listening is so important – please listen to the Word of God, please place yourself around people who will speak life into your being. God’s mercy is new every morning and we rest in it every evening. We are called to grow up in that mercy and love which is alive in the person of Christ. May God grant us courage to ask and listen. May God grant us boldness to beg God to open our eyes. May his peace guard our hearts and minds in him. Blessings IN Christ, Cindy

If you have a facebook account, put in a friend request to "Newkit Reflection." I have a lot of photos of the vineyards & Abe there.

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