"DON'T LOSE YOUR BALANCE"

 In my daily Bible reading, I'm spending time in the Book of Job and the Book of Proverbs. I didn't really plan it out ahead of time. I just sort of landed there.

In the fairly recent past Kathy and I had to deal with her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment and then, sort of like a "one-two punch," I was diagnosed with an agressive form of prostate cancer. I'm done with radiation but still on medications. (If you're curious click here.)

Then in the "just past," this happened.

That's the deck on the back of my house. The deck is now in a heap on the ground. Now I'm dealing with insurance adjusters. (You can find out more on my facebook page.)

It's nothing like what Job endured--and unlike Job I have good friends--but it has been a rough patch.

So, I ask myself, "Self, you are a pastor aren't you? You're supposed to help people deal with these kinds of things, aren't you?" To which I reply, "Yes." "So how does this stuff I'm/your dealing with fit in with the messages of Job and Solomon (Proverbs)?"

Mainly, as I look at these two books I see a need for balance. First, I'll talk about Proverbs. Proverbs extolls such basic ethical truths as listening to your parents, avoiding prostitutes and sexual encounters with the spouse of somebody else, working hard, being kind, telling the truth, and being careful with your money, to mention a few. Make sure you notice the key word in what I'm about to say. Doing these right/good things and avoiding these immoral/wrong/unwise things tends  toward one having a prosperous, healthy, and enjoyable life. Right now I'm in the section of Proverbs that is full of "Buts." Here is an example:

The righteous is delivered from trouble,
But the wicked takes his place. (Proverbs 11:8)

What is the best way to live in this wicked world? Do right. You'll have a better shot at a happy life that way. As I friend of mine used to say, "It's like buying more lottery tickets." I don't recommend buying any lottery tickets, and I think Solomon agrees, but I can't deny the logic of my friend's illustration. The Book of Proverbs is filled with proverbs--advice for wise living--not promises.

Job reminds us that even good people sometimes suffer. The opening chapters of Job clearly establish that Job is a good man. I'm trying. Yet the reality is that sometimes in life fathers, even good fathers, lose their children, their fortune and their health. Sometimes driverless trucks break loose and hurtle downhill smashing a faithful (I hope) pastor's deck. Even God's people aren't immune to cancer. There are some thoughts about this in the blog where I share about my prostate journey, here.

I need to live in the balance between those two realities. So do you.