Hear the heart

Job, the one who is suffering, has poured out his heart. He has given voice to his pain. He has spoken of his experience of God.

And still his friends are not able to truly listen. They cannot face the reality that such unjust suffering exists in the world. They want to silence such talk, they want to avoid reality, because it challenges their comfortable view of the world and of God.

Job has become a marginal figure. He has no wealth or status any more. He is an object of charity. But in not listening to him and his experience of God his friends are shown to be trying to silence God himself.

Forgive me, Lord,

for rushing through my days without taking time to listen.

Teach me to hear the heart behind people’s words,

and to discern your still, small voice.

Amen.