I noticed something interesting while doing some Bible study this morning.   It was these two verses:

“Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.”

Job 1:22

“Then many came to Him and said, ‘John performed no sign, but all the things that John spoke about this Man were true.’  And many believed in Him there.”

John 10:41-42

Now, I don’t know that I’ve seen a lot of conversation that includes both Job and John the Baptist.  They both have a plethora of lessons to teach, but they generally keep to their own Testaments, at least as much I can recall. 

But do you see what I’ve emphasized in those two verses?  What they both had in common at a point of triumph in their faith?

Nothing.  They have nothing in common.  Well, what they have in common is that they did nothing. 

They didn’t always do nothing, of course.  John did a great deal of something ~ it’s right there in his name.  We don’t necessarily think of Job as being as busy and active ~ I think once things started going badly for him all we know for sure that he did was sit, scraping his wounds (presumably to relieve the itch) and talking with those who came to offer their questionable opinions.  And of course you can’t read the Book of Job without coming away impressed that in all his suffering, Job refused to blaspheme God. 

But this verse in Job says not only did he not charge God with wrong, he did not sin.  What does that mean, exactly?  What did he not do?  Well, everything.  Of all the thoughts, words and actions that count as sin, Job did not do any of them.

Now look at the verse about John.  People were coming to him, listening to him, and becoming disciples of Christ.  John didn’t do a thing.  No miracles, nothing impressive or eye-catching.  Just the truth.

I find that so comforting.  Sometimes we feel ill-equipped in this life, especially if we’re comparing ourselves to someone else.  But we don’t have to do anything.  We just have to be who we are, mistakes and all, grateful for all He has done for, and eager to share the news.

Even when we are doing nothing, we can obedient and we can be a blessing to Him and those around us.  We spend most of our days doing something, but maybe we should be doing a little more nothing.

~