Unlike a maze that has many dead ends, a labyrinth has a single continuous path and as long as you keep moving forward, it will lead to the center. When I did more research on the labyrinth, it turns out that it is actually known as a sacred symbol for life and heroic journeys. In the medieval ages, monks would walk in their monastery’s labyrinth as a meditation practice. The walk represented the many challenges of life as well as the internal journey one must go on to discover peace within themselves.
This reminds me of a character in the Bible named Job. Job was a prosperous farmer living in the land of Uz. He had livestock, a big family, many servants, and a large amount of land. The Bible also says that Job was “blameless and upright,” a man who “feared God and shunned evil.” (Job 1:2)
Then Satan entered heaven and stood before God’s throne.
“Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan said. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.” (Job 1:9-12) Then the testing of Job’s faith began…
Satan was allowed by God to destroy Job’s children, livestock, servants, herdsman, and home. Satan also afflicted Job with painful sores from the bottoms of his feet to the top of his head. Despite his wife telling him to “curse God and die” and his three friends accusing him of sinning, Job stayed strong. Even through all of the pain, questioning, and doubts that he endured, he never lost his faith because a relationship with God was enough for him. Finally, at the end of the book, God restored all that had been taken from Job twice as much as he had before.
Many times in my own journey through the labyrinth of life I question why I go through hard times or why the world can be such a dark place full of evil. I even blame God and say things like “If you can do anything, then why don’t you take me out of this circumstance?” or “Why did you create a world full of so much corruption?” Yet this book gives great insight into God’s character. Yes God allows his children to suffer, but he also promises to be faithful to us, teach us, guide us, and use our pain for a greater purpose.
Just like Job, we don’t know how long the hardships will last in our life or if there is a reward waiting at the end of the labyrinth. That is where faith comes in. We have to believe and trust that there is healing, growth, and strength on the other side of our pain. So the next time you go through a challenging time, instead of blaming God, quitting, or running away from God’s love, press forward and persevere through the uncertainty. The setback is actually a setup for something great.
The Bigger Picture: If you keep persevering with God through the uncertainty and hardships of life, you will see the reward of eternal salvation at the end of the labyrinth.
The Bigger Picture 