\n<\/p>\n
I\u2019m not sure why I\u2019m thinking about this, but here it goes.<\/p>\n
What does faith in God look like when you\u2019re not thinking in terms of something you get in return?<\/p>\n
Does that make sense?<\/p>\n
What if we lived a life of faith without thinking of future\u00a0outcomes? What if we lived a life of faith in God not\u00a0<\/em>centered on \u201cNow I know what will happen to me if I die,\u201d or \u201cNow I know all my needs I will be cared for, \u201d or \u201cNow I can be happier\u201d?<\/p>\n What if the life of faith were defined more by the experience of the moment, and pleasure, inner peace, and joy of being where you are with the Spirit of God?<\/p>\n Wait, it just hit me. I know why I\u2019m thinking about this. I\u2019ve been looking at the book of Job a lot over the last few months, and I see a similar dynamic at work there. (I also blogged on this a while back<\/a>.)<\/p>\n In the opening chapters of the book, God is holding what appears to be a heavenly board meeting of divine beings with him at the head. In attendance is a figure referred to as\u00a0ha-satan<\/em>, which is literally translated \u201cThe Accuser\u201d or \u201cThe Adversary.\u201d<\/p>\n Don\u2019t let \u201csatan\u201d fool you. Maintain the lower case \/s\/. This isn\u2019t the banished fallen angel, king of the underworld with red tights and pitchfork made famous by medieval theology. He is a divine being, clearly within his right to approach and address\u00a0the divine council, who challenges God\u2019s high view of his servant Job.<\/p>\n The Accuser\u2019s accusation amounts to this: \u201cSure, Job is your faithful servant. But that\u2019s because you\u2019ve been like a helicopter parent making sure he is blessed with goods and family. Take it all away and then we\u2019ll see how faithful he really is.\u201d<\/p>\n Or, in the Accuser\u2019s own words (Job 1:9-11):<\/p>\n Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But put forth Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will surely curse You to Your face.<\/em><\/p>\n