Why is believing in Jesus not a ticket to an earthly perfect paradise? All wine and roses. A walk in the park. Free as a bird. Why not? Seems good to me. Well, better ask the Old Testament character Job. He’s got a few answers for us. Don’t assume that you know all about the Book of Job. I’ve read it dozens of times, yet my spiritual eyes of understanding seem to be developing cataracts.

But slowly I’m seeing much clearer what Job has to say. Part of his message is that life this side of heaven is a mishmash. The effect of sin scars the horizon, making our life’s journeys difficult even on good days. The rug gets pulled out from under us way too often. Too many days filled with troubles and trials.

You know what I mean, don’t you? I do. There’s a pastorate that gets squashed and squelched—not all someone else’s fault, either. Or that early childhood disease that still rears ugly memories in strange ways over seven decades later. I know. And there’s more. Of course, there is.

But despite a lot, I know that God can be trusted. I can put my faith in Him. He’ll make sense of what seems senseless. He’ll right what’s wrong. In His time. In His way. Some clarity will come when we’re over the hilltop, so to speak. Get it? I’m starting to. I’m finally out of kindergarten! Yeah! Whoop-de-doo for me! First Grade beckons! Goodbye, Miss Ford! Hello Mrs. Coultas!

St. Paul hits the nail on the head when he writes–‘…do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So, glorify God…’ (1 Cor. 6: 19-20). Jesus paid the price for our salvation when He died on the cross. We’re His. Owned by the God of love who will never let us out of His sight, especially during those times of trials and troubles.

No matter what life throws at us or what mess we boomerang on ourselves, we have God the Holy Spirit, given to us by the Father and the Son. Within us resides more than vital organs, veins, and blood. Much more. God is within believers. Can you imagine? So, remember who you are and whose you are. Won’t that make the junk we experience seem less so? Toughens us from within? More overcomers and less overcome by whatever or whoever?

Satan may roam around in the rooms of this house of my body, unannounced and unwelcome, stirring up troubles and trials again. Still, soon the deceiver will discover that he’s just a passin’ through and that Jesus dwells within and will usher that nasty brute right out the backdoor. Once and for all.

My Lord is the permanent resident and owner with an eternal title deed signed by Jesus Himself! There’s only lasting room for the Lord in my spiritual house. He’s in for the long haul—for keeps—forever and a day.

Chew on that this week, will you?

Lord Jesus, I love you, and thank you for being my best friend ever. Amen.