Jeff Adams

Greetings Jeff!

Please forgive the delay in answering your note, but I have indeed been quite busy. We are right in the middle of developing a theme park here called The Land of Uz based on some of the lessons I learned from my time of trial. I have worried that this is a bit “over the top,” as you might say, but I do have a sincere desire to use whatever means to help people understand the amazing love of God. I’d hate to have gone through all I did and think that it stopped with me. That’s also why I am very responsive when I hear from people like you. It’s a pleasure to share anything I have learned that might prove helpful to others.

To be very honest, I struggle when I think that some hold me up as an example of patience as though I were some sort of spiritual giant. “The patience of Job” is how James, put it. I’m happy to be a source of inspiration, but when I was going through that unbelievable time of trial I certainly did not feel like a hero. My world had come crashing down upon me. Many days my chest was so tight I knew I could not take another breath. I’m telling you the truth that there were moments that I really did not think I would survive, nor did I want to. Talk about being pushed to the limit of what I could handle!

Looking back now, there are things I said that I would like to erase, to say nothing of many things I thought! As you know, even my wife was ready to walk away from God and thought I was crazy for not doing the same. That’s just it. My faith in God was basic, solid, and mature. Even though I had no idea what was happening or why, I simply could not deny him. And, no matter what, I trusted him. He is God and I am not. It’s as simple and complex as that. Remember this, Jeff. This is everything, as I will soon explain.

Yes, I was a victim – a victim of the very Devil. I do know what that feels like. It’s horrible. This is why I was so insistent, in the often heated discussion with my friends, that I had no secret sin that brought on this trial as judgment. I am a member of a fallen race, of course, just like everyone else. I was confident, however, that there was nothing specific in my life that would be cause for such punishment.

Things get a bit more emotionally complicated when we consider children. As long as there have been people on this planet, there have been evil men and women who brutally abuse children (and adults) physically, emotionally and sexually. What could these little ones possibly have done to deserve this? But this is a part of my story I think many overlook. My ten children were killed in the same day in a clear diabolical attack. They had done absolutely nothing to deserve this. So, if we want to talk about innocent victims I can certainly qualify for the discussion.

I know. I had the same question. Why did God allow this? He did, of course. He is God; nothing happens that he does not allow. But there is more. God not only allowed it, he initiated it. He is the one who brought my name up first to the Devil. Either God is good, or he is not God. Here is that foundational issue again – can we trust God to be God, even if we never have all the answers? God always has a purpose in what he does, and the ultimate outcome of that purpose is always good if God is good. Nowhere, though, does God promise to explain everything to us – now or later.

I still do not have all the answers. I suppose I never will. Of all that I learned through this experience, the most liberating lesson was to understand that I do not have to know, figure it out, find the answers, explain it or answer to anyone. When God finally broke his silence to me, he offered no explanations or reasons. Actually, he put me on my face in awe before him. I had all these questions I wanted to ask and a whole list of things I wanted to say. When I finally had a chance to speak, my mouth was frozen in awe of his splendor and majesty. In sum, all I need to do is allow God to be God. As I said earlier, it’s as simple and complex as that

Oh, by the way, in answer to the question about God not giving you more than you can handle, I might point out the words of Psalm 103, written centuries before Paul’s remarks to the Corinthians.

For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. (Psalms 103:14)

I thought I was a pretty strong and faithful individual. I had the righteous routine down as well as anyone. Suddenly, in the space of a single day, I found myself devastated and sitting on the ruins of my life. I was helpless, vulnerable and exposed for all to see. I was powerless to do anything about my condition. Had God pushed me over my limit? Was this more than I could handle? Had he forgotten that I was mere dust?

Obviously he did not push me past my limit, because I survived and what I had lost was later restored. However, I learned that I am always powerless and “over my limit” without God. When I trust him, I can go to the limit in his power alone. Jesus put it this way,

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:29-30)

Take the theme park I mentioned earlier. We will have all types of adventure rides designed to thrill and, hopefully, to teach at the same time. Imagine a ride designed to push people to their perceived limit of endurance. However, each ride has been scientifically calculated to fall far short of any true danger. At any moment, though, the participant can push the “stop button” or pull the release cord.

This is much like life, I learned. God will never push us past our limit, though most of think we are already past. When we trust in God, we have no limit because the power is all his. What we usually do, though, is to push the stop button far short of where we need to be for maximum benefit.

Let me also say, Jeff, that my theme park should not be construed as being flippant about the pain others experience. As I thought about your friends my heart hurt for them. I wish I could talk to them personally and reassure them that God is with them every moment of every day. I know he is with them as he was and is with me. And, I know their trust in Him will let them smile at the idea of The Land of Uz.

I’ve got to get back to my responsibilities, but before I do I want to remind you that in my day we had no scriptures. People sometimes forget that I am not a Jew but an Edomite. And, though my story is told in the Old Testament, I predate Moses and the Torah by centuries. Through my experience I learned what I should have known and remembered all along – the basic issue of life is whether or not we can trust God.

I’ve often thought how nice it would have been to be able to refer to God’s truth all written down in a Bible, or to have the social structure of a church for mutual encouragement when I went through my trials (my friends weren’t much help, were they?). While all that is well and good, as I reflect on all that has happened I think you folks have so many resources and tools that you tend to complicate matters and become so analytical you miss the point. You do not have to have all the answers nor do you have to figure it out; you do have to trust God to be God.

Thank you for your questions and the opportunity to interact. I do pray that what I went through would be an encouragement to you and your friends.

Praise be to the Almighty!

Job

King of Edom