“How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? 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. Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted” Habakkuk 1:2-4
I feel like Habakkuk took the words right out of my mouth! Since the devastating death of George Floyd our country has been in a downward spiral, and just like in Habakkuk’s time, it seems as though evil prevails. In times like these it’s so easy to forget that God is in control, and He does not always work on our timetables. God’s response to Habakkuk’s outcry in chapter 2 verse 3 reminds us to be patient. He says, “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.” God will prevail and eventually “the whole earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD (2:14).” Until then, what is our response as Christians and as Ordinary Women? What do we do while we wait?
“Seek peace and pursue it!” This verse from Psalms 34:14 has been like a war cry in my head for the past few weeks. There is plenty of chaos in the world right now but not nearly enough peace. True peace cannot be found in the news or on the internet or even in a weekend escape; it can only be found in the loving arms of a Father who cares deeply for each of His children. From this place of intimacy and our passionate pursuit of Him, He will guide us to the peace we seek. Then we will have the opportunity to take this peace into our sphere of influence.
In Matthew 22, the Pharisees tried to trap Jesus by asking Him what the greatest commandment was. Jesus’ response was simple, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.” But He didn’t stop there! He followed it up by saying, “And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Why do you think Jesus thought it was important to include both? He was speaking to the Pharisees who were great at following the religious rules but terrible at living out their faith by loving others. Jesus needed them (and us) to understand that as Christians, we do not get to stay in our personal relationship with Christ and never reach beyond it. If we put God first in our lives and love Him with our whole being, then from that place of love we are able to love those around us. I do not have the power to love others who are not just like me without first loving God. He is the one that gives me the ability to cross the threshold of my own selfish desires and pursue an intentional relationship with someone who is also made in His image. I can show God’s love by listening, supporting, serving, and pointing people to Him in the process.
God is still in control and He is just. He will right the wrongs and heal the broken-hearted. In the meantime, we can be His hands and feet and spread His love to those who need it most. In our pursuit of peace, God draws us in, so He can pour us out. If we will allow Him, He will use us, Ordinary Women, to change the world around us.