I’ve always been fascinated by the book of Job. Here is a man who God Himself affirms is “a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil” (Job 1:8, ESV). Despite his outstanding character, Job is allowed to suffer some devastating hardships. He loses seven sons, three daughters, and all his property in one day. Later, while still lamenting his losses, Job suffers yet another blow—this time to his health. The book of Job leaves our minds reeling with questions and doubts about the kind of world we live in and the kind of God who made it.

I believe the book of Job is designed to have just that effect on us. If you read through the Bible (or if you just live your life, really), at some point you realize that the world isn’t always the way we’d expect or think it should be. Bad stuff happens. Really bad stuff. For me, I’m thankful God gave me a book like Job to prepare me for the kind of suffering I can expect in an imperfect world yet to be fully restored. Do I understand why He allows the things He does? Not always. But I’ve read enough stories and heard enough testimonies to know that God is certainly good and always has a plan to turn things around.

The end of Job doesn’t answer all our questions, but God does show up. Isn’t that just like life? We come to God raging with questions—maybe even accusations—and He rarely answers us in a way we’d expect. Sometimes He comes and weeps with us. Sometimes He wraps His arms around us with tender comfort. Other times, He responds to our “wisdom” with a dose of wonder. Here’s how God answers Job:

“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” (38:4-7, ESV)

This song is called “Wonder” because that’s how God met me. I thought I needed answers to my questions. I thought I needed them before I could trust Him again. But in the silence and the waiting, I found that all I really needed was Him.

Sometimes our pride can get in the way of our answer. Sometimes we need to realize how big our Creator is before we can understand the significance of our smallness. I may face trouble in this life—in fact, I’m certain I will—but if His eye is on me, I have nothing to worry about. Our God faced the greatest trial—torture and death on a cross—and arose victorious. The wonder of the gospel isn’t that we live in a comfortable world. The wonder of the gospel is that the designer, creator, and sustainer of that world cares about us. He cares enough to come and to suffer with us, and to rescue us. May we never lose sight of that. May we never forget that true peace, power, and wisdom only come when we posture ourselves to wonder.

Brianna