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Tuesday, July 7, 2009

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Along life's road Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom. — Job 32:7. Growing up, one of the most heard words coming from parents were "children should be seen and not heard," but with my father, it was "speak up, so you can be heard!" Particularly so, this was the case with my sister, Fanny. Daddy had to hide to hear her speak, but those who know Fanny would never believe this was so, because she has the gift of speech. Yes ma'am! Just the other evening during normal conversation with relatives, my inner being was made glad at the wonder of the gift of speech. What a mighty and powerful God! We have the ability to communicate, express our feelings, share our thoughts and if we are honest enough, admit our guilt. Yes, for the gift of speech, Pentecost should be high on the Christian's agenda! Here at home, much is being said about leadership, not so much as it concerns the church, but from a national stance. To me, when it comes to the church, it is let everything that hath breath praise the Lord" and lead the way. If and when one considers that life is "a matter of time" and each day has to be used wisely, then our scripture text is an excellent trajectory for leadership, particularly from a political point of view. A current case in point is the path to the White House for the first black president of the United States of America — Barack Hussein Obama. "Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom." What if he had remained silent and yes, what if he wasn't given the opportunity? Job's three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard of all the evil that hath befallen Job, and made an appointment together to come to mourn with him, and to comfort him. Job was in much pain and distress and often made known his regrets about life and the fact that he came into this world. But Eliphaz reminded him "Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands. Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees. But now it is come upon thee, and thou faintest: it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled." Job's three friends were men of many years. They gave their points of view as it concerned Job, but came to the conclusion that, even though they did not think so, in Job's own opinion, he was righteous. But the anger of Elihu, son of Barachel the Buzite, flared up against Job, because he held himself to be righteous rather than God. Elihu had waited while Job's three friends spoke because these men were years older than he. But when Elihu saw that the three had no answer in their mouth, his anger flared up and he spoke out and said: "I am young in years, and you are venerable men; so I recoiled and was afraid to declare my knowledge to you. I thought, days should speak, many years ought to teach wisdom." But, it is a spirit in man, the breath of Shaddai gives insight. Seniors may not be sage, nor elders understand aright. So I say, "Listen to me, I too will state my view." I waited for you to speak. I gave ear to your arguments while you tested words. I paid close attention to you, but none of you confuted Job. None of you answered his words. Can you say, "We found wisdom. Let God rebuke him — not man? He has not matched words with me. I would not answer him as you did. Dismayed, they answer no more. Words have forsaken them. Should I wait when they cannot speak, when they stop and answer no more. I will now say my piece; I will declare what I know. For I am brimming with words, wind bloats my belly. My belly is like un-vented wine, like new wine skins ready to burst. I must speak and get relief, open my lips and reply. Let me be partial to no one, nor flatter any man. I know not how to flatter, else would my maker soon dispatch me." There comes a time in leadership when the word "friend" must become "men." When Peter got up to speak he addressed the inner being "men and brethren." It is time for the young people to advance to the front with the aid of the men of wisdom if this country is to go from strength to strength. The most disastrous thing that can happen to any country is to stifle the growth of the youth. There should be in place a school of politics where wisdom would turn her eyes for the future. Not only is this 30-second chapter excellent for this time, but the whole book of Job should be read and studied. For whatever situation we go through, the answer is not found in committee meetings that are only concluded with the best part — a good meal washed down with expensive wine, but with leadership that seeks wisdom for the passing of this hour. E-mail me with your prayer request, concerns and comments to rubyanndarling@yahoo.com or write to P.O. Box 19725 SS Nassau, Bahamas. Thursday, June 4, 2009