July 2, 2022

 

What Do You See?

 

Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight. – Habakkuk 1:3b

 

Murder happens throughout our land. Violence and sin are everywhere. We demand justice from God. We plead with Him to change our nation and turn us back to simpler times when life was easier and filled with rules we could understand.

 

We point fingers and demand justice. We look down and condemn what makes us uncomfortable. We are certain that we are right and we brandish the Bible as a weapon to those who are different. We harshly judge even as we build our lives, our palaces if you will, on sand.

 

We know about the plank and the speck (Matthew 7:3-5). But we don’t really think it applies to us. We are so certain that we are right that we fail the most basic test of love.

 

A sweet woman I know lives in public housing and struggles daily to provide for her daughter. It would be easy to condemn her. From the outside, anyway. I know many people who would judge and call her names. You’ve heard it all. Lazy. Bad choices. It’s her own fault. I could go on. But none of it would be true. She’s a college-educated woman who works two jobs to provide for them. She is an inspiration to all who know her.

 

The hard truth isn’t so pretty. Most of you wouldn’t bother to get to know her. She’s poor. She’s doesn’t move in your circles. She may sit next to you on your pew. She may sing in the choir. But she doesn’t fit your version of success. She doesn’t have the trappings of a large house, nice cars and expensive vacations. You may not say it out loud but you look down on her. And in so doing you elevate yourselves. Shame on you! Shame on all of us!

 

Habakkuk first questioned God about how He could ignore such sin from His people. Then Habakkuk worried that the punishment would be too horrific. But God made it clear that sin won’t go unpunished forever. God is patient and merciful but He sees it all. God sees when you cheat someone in business. God sees when your heart becomes haughty and you fail to be generous and merciful.

 

We look around at the state of our nation and quickly point fingers at everyone else. We judge what we do not know based on circumstances we’ve never endured. And we justify ourselves because everyone else does it. But we’re not supposed to be like everyone else. We’re supposed to do better because of the Holy Spirit who lives inside of us.

 

Do you truly love Jesus? Then show mercy and kindness. Extend a helping hand. Hang out with people who aren’t like you. Be Jesus in this dark and hurting world.

June 24, 2022

 

^{Start With Yourself}

 

² How long, Lord, must I call for help,
    but you do not listen?
Or cry out to you, “Violence!”
    but you do not save?
³ Why do you make me look at injustice?
    Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?
Destruction and violence are before me;
    there is strife, and conflict abounds.
⁴ Therefore the law is paralyzed,
    and justice never prevails.
The wicked hem in the righteous,
    so that justice is perverted.

– Habakkuk 1:2-4

 

It's a small book. A minor prophet named Habakkuk dared to question God. Much like we dare to question God today. The difference? Perhaps we aren’t as righteous as we proclaim.

 

We are quick to pick and choose the issues, the Biblical quotes, the direction of our prayers so that our wishes and our will prevail. Except God always prevails. Always. We forget that.

 

We condemn abortion but demand our right to own and use weapons of war. It is our right to kill who and what we please. It is also our right to demand that you follow our wishes in all things.

 

Perhaps that’s the root of it all. It’s about us. It’s never been about God. He’s only been our excuse, the way we justify the evil that lies within our own hearts.

 

“It’s just business,” is one excuse I’ve heard over and over from so many different people. It’s the way to justify ripping someone off even though it clearly violates God’s law.

 

Or we refuse to help our parents or grandparents unless there’s a payday involved. When did we stop honoring our families except when we are paid to do so? It’s only right, we tell ourselves. Have you checked with the Bible on that?

 

We harbor anger and bitterness in our hearts, lashing out at anyone who dares to disagree with us. We are impatient and unkind. And it is always someone else’s fault.

 

We are a Christian people good at pointing fingers at others who, in our opinion, need to clean up their act. We forget to get the plank out of our own eye before we search for the speck in the eye of someone else.

 

What’s wrong with our country today? Christians who live by their own greed, their own egos, their own comfort, ignoring the Word when it doesn’t fit into their neat little lives. We have turned out religion into our own little political agendas and we have the audacity to wonder where God is as our world seems increasingly out of control.

 

Beware to us all: God will judge each person. We all face the fire of our choices. Stop pointing fingers. Stop living a lie. Bow down and truly worship the Lord our God. Yeah. I know. Most of you won’t do that. It might mean loving people you’ve decided to hate. It could even mean giving up some of your ill-gotten wealth and giving it to those you’ve judged unworthy. You might have to get dirty and serve instead of barking orders at those you consider beneath you.

 

Here is my soapbox once again: If you want to see change, start with yourself.

May 3, 2016

God Controls It All

For the revelation awaits an appointed time;
it speaks of the end
and will not prove false.
Though it linger, wait for it;
it will certainly come
and will not delay.

-- Habakkuk 2:3

They are repaving the highway where we live. Traffic is a mess. I know that eventually it will be worth all this aggravation but the time between now and then sure is frustrating.

Life can be like that. The journey is sometimes messy and hard but we know that one day it will be worth it all. One day we will be in heaven with Jesus and we won’t care about all of today’s drama.

This presidential race has really gotten ugly. Oh, politicians always throw out accusations and point fingers. But this year it just seems so much worse.

The news broadcasts show protests and it scares me. Certainly, we have the right to peaceful protests. Our country is founded on freedoms such as that. But when emotions run high, things have a way of getting out of control quickly.

It seems like our country, our world, is falling apart. History tells us this isn’t the first time. Maybe we feel it more deeply because we see it so clearly on the news and on social media. There’s no hiding anymore.

Maybe I have no patience for the drama on the political stage because of the drama in my own life. Maybe the fear line blurs. I have no control over my life just as it we have no control over what will happen on the national stage.

Yes, I vote. I always vote. But ultimately it is anybody’s guess as to who will win and who will lose. And who knows about the political bloodbath that will take place in the coming months. I dread it all.

Then I remember this verse from Habakkuk. God’s promises reign. No matter who wins the election, God is in control. No matter what anyone else does, God has already won the battle.

I will probably always get impatient with this time between where I am and where I know I’m going. My heart longs to be home with Jesus. My mind knows my time is in His hands.

So I will go forth as best I can in this troubled world, seeking to be His light no matter what happens around me. And, for today, that is enough.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Remember Why We Are Here

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vine; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation. -- Habakkuk 3:17-18

Okay. It hurt my feelings. Really. It did. He was upset because people weren’t doing what they were told. And I was convenient. But, honestly, it wasn’t my fault.

I bit my tongue. Sort of. I reminded them that everyone had been told what to do -- twice. If they still failed to follow directions, I asked, what was I supposed to do? No answer.

That little, pitiful voice inside of me wanted to lash out. I wanted to remind him that I wasn’t being paid to hire and supervise drivers for him. I wanted to tell him how much time I spent doing it and to remind him that I also kept excellent payroll records to make his life easier. And I wanted to point out a few of his shortcomings of the morning. But I didn’t.

That didn’t stop Satan from toying with my mind the rest of the day. And the day after that. Satan kept reminding me that I’m unappreciated, that the man has no clue how valuable I am and all the times I’ve saved him money.

Then I remembered that none of that matters. God matters. And doing everything I do to the very best of my ability, regardless of the circumstances or attitudes of others, reflects on Him. Because I belong to God.

It’s not easy to remain silent. I don’t always. And sometimes words must be spoken because no one deserves abuse. But other times words are said in frustration and aren’t meant to be taken to heart. They shouldn’t have been said but they also shouldn’t be agonized over.

It’s called letting it go and moving on. Honestly, it’s not worth the time or effort. Continuing to think about them and refusing to let them go only gives Satan a foothold into your mind and your actions. And that always leads to trouble and destruction.

He is a good man. Kind most of the time. With a tremendous amount of pressure resting on his shoulders. I know all that. And knowing that makes it easier to let it go.

Not that it matters. Because we are here for His glory and not our own. Our lives, our actions and our words should reflect God’s light outward toward the world. Sometimes that means we must walk away when we really would rather give them what we think they deserve.

Friday, April 15, 2011

Walk In Faith

For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."
-- Romans 1:17 quoting Habakkuk 2:4b

I like a map when I travel. And a GPS. And a little experience from having been there before. It just makes the trip less stressful when I know where I'm going, how long it will take and exactly how it's all going to happen. Too bad life isn't like that.

Most of the time I am surrounded by darkness and struggling to keep my sight focused on the light in front of me. Temptations loom to the right and to the left. Satan knows all my buttons. I cling tightly to God's hand, trusting that He knows the way and won't let the enemy snatch me away.

Trust is hard for me. I've been betrayed too many times to look at anyone and immediately believe they're straightforward and true. I need proof that comes with time and experience. God has given me both. I marvel at His patience as He tugs me Home.

These days I walk strictly by faith. I get nervous and irritable. I want details and timelines and some sort of proof that all will turn out okay. Instead, I get a steady voice urging me to quiet myself and trust God. Follow the light. Believe. And I do. I just want to know the plan. Now.

I almost hear God laughing as I write this. Truthfully, it's probably better that I don't know. Because honestly there are some places God has led me that I really would never have gone had I known what lay ahead. Pain. Rejection. Shattered dreams. Nope. I wouldn't have traveled those roads if I'd known what I would encounter.

But the funny thing is that during all that stormy weather, I drew closer and closer to God. I learned to cling to Him in a way that I never had before. I came to depend on Him first and always. In many ways, He's the only One I trust anymore. I look to Him for guidance in all things. I know His wisdom comes from love and I trust that.

So I walk by faith, even when I cannot see the way and do not understand the plan. I walk toward the light, trusting that God has me clearly in His sight.

Monday, December 6, 2010

It All Comes From God

"See, he is puffed up; his desires are not upright -- but the righteous will be by his faith,"

-- Habakkuk 2:4

It's so hard to sit back and wait patiently when someone is stomping all over your feelings and your life. It's what we're supposed to do. Trust God to take care of it in His own time, in His own way. I've said it numerous times before. And I believe it. But believing doesn't make it easy.

I get so upset when people proclaim their Christianity with one sentence and with the very next one they make an ugly comment about helping the poor. We don't want to share. We don't. I don't either so don't think I'm pointing fingers here. It's just that it's what we're supposed to do. Share. Give not just from abundance but give until we feel it hurt.

Funny thing, too, about sharing. The more I give, the more I want to give. Sounds silly, even to me. But it's true. I enjoy doing things for other people. I can't do a lot. My budget is small and my income erratic at best. But I talk to God and then I give. And I give. And I always seem to have enough for what I need. Just like He promised.

Sometimes I get scared. I do. I want to hoard what I have for that just-in-case day that might come again. I want to somehow find a way to control my financial destiny along with control everything else in my life. Why I would think I'd suddenly be able to do that after all these years beats me, but the feeling is there. Ridiculous! I'm not in control. Don't laugh. You aren't either.

God is in control. We don't determine how much money we make or our health or the people in our lives. We don't. Some folks think they do. They see themselves as master manipulators who control their bank accounts and the people  in their lives. I know someday they'll learn what all of us learn: Everything can change in the blink of an eye and we can't stop it.

So I do trust God. He's been there with me through that disaster zone that was once my life. He saw me sail confidently over the waters and He watched me when death and depression destroyed the person I thought I was. He was there to help me and comfort me when no one else had the time or desire. I owe Him more than I can ever repay.

Don't get puffed up and full of yourself when you're successful. And don't get too hard on yourself when things don't seem to be going your way. Trust God. Lean on Him. Let Him guide you. If you've got plenty, then give some of it away. Show compassion and understanding to others who don't have enough. And if you're struggling, hang on. God sees you and He'll help you if you just trust Him. God's blessings are for everyone. We need to remember that.