A Wonderful Life

"When Job prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes. In fact, the LORD gave him twice as much as before! Then all his brothers, sisters, and former friends came...and they consoled him and comforted him because of all the trials the LORD had brought against him. And each of them brought him a gift of money and a gold ring. So the LORD blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than in the beginning."

--Job 42: 10-12a

Tis' the season for jolliness, crazy eating, and of course Christmas movies. A classic film played during this time of the year is "It's A Wonderful Life" starring Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey. Many know the storyline that depicts George's anxious efforts to leave his small town, Bedford Falls, for a bigger and better life. Unfortunately, many of his efforts are hindered by constant interruptions that keep him in a sort of bondage to his birthplace.

There's a turning point in the movie where George, now married with children and owner of his late father's business, is in a real fix. He needs money and needs a lot of it in a hurry. He turns to the only person that has enough--his arch enemy Mr. Potter. This is a man that wants to own everything in the town, not to earn model citizen of the century but to have total control so that he can freely put his greed on display.

Mr. Potter mentions to George, in a check-mate sort of way, that he (meaning George) is worth more dead than alive because of his life insurance policy. George is desperate, and desperate times call for desperate measures. So, George makes an attempt to do away with his life to "solve" his financial dilemma.

Those who have watched this movie already know how the rest of the story goes, but the ending is where the real light of the movie shines through. George's dear wife alerts the whole town of the money crisis that he's in, and the townspeople come one by one with money in tow to help their friend George. He receives so much that he is now claimed to be the richest man of Bedford Falls!

This reminds me ofJob in the bible. Job's infamous story describes the lost of his children, status, and riches all in a very short period of time. On top of that, his body is plagued with sores, and he is nagged by his wife and criticized by his friends. Unlike George Bailey, Job didn't make any attempts to end his life. But the burden that Job carried was still tremendous.

What is similar between these two is that Job also has a turning point at the end of his trial. Once God spoke and moved and Job prayed for his friends--yep, the same ones that criticized him--God restored Job's status and property, and God even gave him more children. Like George, God even allowed Job's relatives and friends to bring him monetary gifts. Because of God's extra blessings, Job was able to truly experience a wonderful life!

Merry Christmas, Lemonaders! I pray that y'all have a safe and wonderful Christmas celebration. We have a reason to celebrate since God gave us the very best gift ever...His Son Jesus!!!