Elihu vs Eliphaz

I decided to publish a quick, short, blog post, since I haven't blogged in a while.   "And when you finally do return to blogging, you decide to post about something with a title like that?" you ask.  I realize that naming my post after two obscure Biblical characters who sound like they were named during a sneeze isn't the most engaging title.  However, I think the opposing principles these two people represent could be helpful to you!  So here goes.
Some people expend all their energy trying to change themselves.  But something my pastor said last Sunday impacted me.  (Maybe because he said my name from the pulpit when he said it...)  His words were: "Michael, God can change you better than you could ever change yourself."  He was speaking on John 15, and how Jesus is the vine, we are the branches, and without Him, we can do nothing.  So what is the solution?  To abide in Him.  Sometimes we can get caught up in focusing on a ministry we're involved with, or an activity we're in, or trying to change ourselves, or relationships, etc.  But you know what Jesus wants us to do?  Focus on Him.
We've been studying the book of Job in our Bible study, and one of my favorite characters in the story is Elihu.  Interestingly, he's the youngest, and he's also the only one God doesn't rebuke at the end of the book.  Something he said stood out to me in the last study.  (Job 35:9-13) "Because of the multitude of oppressions people cry out; they call for help because of the arm of the mighty. But none says, 'Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night, who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth and makes us wiser than the birds of the heavens?' There they cry out, but he does not answer, because of the pride of evil men. Surely God does not hear an empty cry, nor does the Almighty regard it." (ESV)  What stands out to me in what he says is that when people are going through hard times, they cry out, and wonder where God is and why He's doing what He's doing, but they don't seek Him where He is for who they already know Him to be.  It's amazing how often we think God is wrong.  We would never say that, of course, but from our perspective, we believe that God should conform to the way we think He should act.  Elihu's point of view is that God is God, and we should conform to Him, rather than pridefully expecting Him to conform to us.  He may be trying to teach us something through our trials, for our benefit, and we're not getting it.  One of the kind of amusing things Elihu says is, "Who teacheth like the Lord?"  God has a unique teaching style...one that is oftentimes not how we want it to be.  We can't determine our position with God based on our successes or prosperity, as Eliphaz, and his other two friends advocate.  Interestingly, the meanings of Elihu and Eliphaz's names kind of sum up their arguments.  'Elihu' means 'My God is he.'  Basically intimating that God is who He is and we should find out who that is.  Eliphaz's name means 'My God is gold.'  This is what I'm trying, and maybe some of you could join me.  The next time you pray, don't ask for specific things.  Don't focus on what God can give you.  Just focus on Him.  The rest will fall into place.  Let God change you the way He wants to.  After all, He's got a slightly bigger perspective, and probably knows best!