Rev. George Miller
Nov 27, 2022
Habakkuk 1:1-7
The last 2 weeks have been distressing, with the events in the Dominican
Republic, 3 athletes killed, Walmart.
The murder of 5 people at a Colorado gay bar left me numb. It’s the same number as those we lost at
SunTrust. Second- I’ve lived with this reality
since 1991. Someone named Ash posted a
comment that reflects this best-
“Please know that for years, every Queer person in your life…who
attend/host public events anticipate violence against us. We go into these spaces knowing we are
targets, that we may not come out alive...”
And yet, myself and others don’t always speak aloud this sentiment or preach
about it. We don’t want to upset others.
We worry that if we say these words, we expose
a vulnerability for someone to act on.
So we stay silent, smile. We bedazzle
you with our wit, our style. But every
time I’ve gone to a gay bar, attended a Pride event, there’s an awareness of the
danger.
That’s why I’m thankful that last week we had a prophetess, a staunch ally,
a ferocious Momma Bear in Nancy, who stood up, speaking the words.
Nancy- thank you. Thank you for
speaking for your son, for me. Thank you
for speaking because in your voice we heard the words I couldn’t say.
What we heard from Nancy were the words of a modern-day prophet who was
compassionate enough to speak for the people and did so in a setting in which
God had no choice but to hear.
What Nancy said was “Where is the justice, where is the kindness, where
is the humility? Enough is enough.”
Nancy- you now join the ranks of other prophets, like Isaiah, like Jonah,
and like Habakkuk who we hear today.
Habakkuk was a prophet who was living at a time in which war could break
out at any moment.
Habakkuk was a prophet who looked around at his beloved country and said “What
the heck!”
He was a prophet whose faith was so great, and knowledge of God so
extensive, that he knew he had a bone to pick with God, and that God would
listen.
Habakkuk was not someone to say “Oh well, it’s a mystery and not my place
to ask.” He did not sit silent when he
saw the nation turning topsy.
Habakkuk was someone who said to God what needed to be said.
“Oh Lord,” he says “How long are I and your people going to cry? Are you deaf?
How long are you going to let these mindless deaths take place and not
do anything about it?”
Habakkuk goes on “There are those who are breaking laws right in front of
our eyes and the judicial system does nothing.
Folk are being preyed on by the powerful.”
It’s like Egypt all over again, except there’s no Red Sea parting for
them, so Habakkuk holds God accountable.
Habakkuk could be writing today.
It’s scary to hear how little has changed.
There’s housing issues with people in penthouses taking advantage of others. There’s people in need being cut-off from
assistance and cities making money on inequality.
They should know better. This isn’t
just any nation, this is a holy nation established for the purpose of God’s
people to live a life walking with the Lord.
God’s grand experiment of heaven on earth has been a flop. So Habakkuk holds God responsible and
accountable for God’s apparent inaction.
God responds. God hears Habakkuk’s
cries and complaints, and God speaks to the prophet.
But you know, I don’t really care what God has to say. I don’t know if I buy God’s reasons or
excuses today. What I care about is
this-
Habakkuk and his people were in a world of hurt back then, just as we are
in a world of hurt today.
And at some point words and reasons can only go so far. At some point it all comes down to “God, what
are you going to do about it.”
God- what are you going to do about it???
…to which God says “My beloved child, what are WE gonna do about it.”
If you recall, last week we stated that “God saves”, but it is almost always through
us, and with us that God saves. God
saves as Judith, Miriam, Moses play a part.
God saves. Today we begin the process
of anticipating the birth of Jesus so
that God, in human flesh, can show us how to do justice, kindness, and
humility.
God saves, and today we wait upon the birth of Jesus so that God can show
us what it looks like when bodies are cared for, lives changed, relationships restored,
and people are greeted with welcome and grace.
Habakkuk is speaking words of a community that is living hell on earth. Today we anticipate the birth of Jesus to show
us how to live as if heaven is in the right here and right now.
Habakkuk succinctly asks the question; Advent prepares us to welcome
Jesus who will provide the answers.
Let us listen to the voice of Jesus so we can hear what’s being said, to learn
how to be one with God so we can live as one with each other.
Amen.
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