>Ah yes, as the days progress, surely I have some major revelation to share with you? Hmmm… Surely by now I should be well into the retreat, enjoying every moment, having a sense of contentment, progress and all that. SORRY… not so much to report. Today has been an eventless occurrence in the everday happenings of my life!!

It seems I am struggling to overcome this sense/feeling of tiredness. I slept this afternoon, til about 3.30pm. I obviously needed it but it can be quite disheartening to have this availability of “time” within a day and to somewhat throw it away by sleeping! We shall see if it is wasted time or not…

I did have a little more production later on in the day – I have read the whole of the book of Job. It is an intriguing narrative and one that is on the surface not immediatly readable and engaging. It uses language that I am not familiar with, and the speeches seem to drag on… so many words to say so little! I guess at the same time that is the beauty of it – the intricate poetry that repeats in eloquet words a message that make you think! I like it when I have to ponder something, where I am not immediately told whether what is said, or presented is right or wrong. In the big scheme of the book, I, as the reader, am required to discern whether the judgements of Job’s friends are morally correct or not? I am presented with the unsolved dilemma of suffering, and the character of God – how can a just God allow such suffering? Is there an answer to this question?

Yet, the book of Job has an even more challenging and deeper question at stake – it presents me with a question of faith? Why do I serve/fear God? In light of human suffering, surely man’s natural reaction would be to reject the very existence of God?

Yes, this book of Job, this intriguing story has a deep message… one that we cannot ignore – and if you are brave enough, one that we all need to face?? I challenge you to read this book a few times over… think about what it is saying… and…be prepared…you might be shocked!

Related posts:

1. >Day 2: Retreat Reflections – Mixed Feelings
2. >Day 6: Retreat Reflections – Half a day and bumps, bruises & burns!
3. >Day 1: Retreat Reflections – A Pleasant View
4. >Day 4: Retreat Reflections – Smell the Roses
5. >Day 3: Retreat Reflections – Total Wipeout!