Dericka Canada Cunningham, GBW Founder
February 12, 2024
This Week's Anchor
“Look at the nations and watch—and be utterly amazed.
For I am going to do something in your days that
you would not believe, even if you were told.”
Habakkuk 1: 5 (NIV)
I do not consider myself a Bible scholar, but I did grow up surrounded by Bible-quoting and passionately prayerful grandmamas, mamas, and aunties, and I consistently find myself deeply moved by God’s Word and inspired by the stories that it conveys. A story that inspired me this week is that of the prophet Habakkuk. In our anchor text, we see Habakkuk engage in a compelling dialogue with God. Like many of us, Habakkuk poses several meaningful questions and concerns to God, and God follows Habakkuk’s laments with Divine response.
As I read the book of Habakkuk along with the background of who he was, I find myself feeling deeply connected to his experience. Truth be told, I’ve had several Habakkuk moments throughout recent years, and the parallels between our stories are quite remarkable. As we etch our way further into this new year, I can’t help but still feel the remnants of the mental and emotional exhaustion from 2023. A significant contributor to that fatigue came from the plethora of tragic events that plagued our world and flooded news headlines—events that, unfortunately, are still unfolding today. Witnessing these stories along with the cumulative grief and loss caused by the lingering impact of the pandemic and the persistent violence enacted against targeted cultural communities nationally and globally can leave us with an invisible but heavy weight. A weight that we are often expected to ignore and keep pushing through. These tragedies can feel seemingly avoidable, and because of this, they are difficult to wrap our minds around. As a result, like Habakkuk, we can find ourselves emotionally asking God “Why?” in these vulnerable times.
In moments when I lament to God, asking Him why we must bear the immeasurable pain of witnessing the tragic deaths of others, He gently reminds me of why we live. Because even as I feel the weight of grief, I can’t help but also feel the rush of love. Grief is, in fact, a reflection of great love. We don’t grieve things, people, places, or times that we don’t meaningfully care about. And the fact that we can not only show love to those in our closest circles but also hold deep compassion for strangers across the globe is a testament to the power of God’s love in and through us.
We see this Divine love poured into Habakkuk as God patiently and gracefully responds to his many pleas (Habakkuk Chapters 1-3). Like Habakkuk, I am grateful for God meeting me in my spaces of questioning and despair, despite the guilt I often feel for what seems like complaining to God. The shame makes sense considering that I grew up in a Christian culture that convinced me that asking God “why” was disrespectful. Nevertheless, I’ve evolved into a relationship with God in which I know He understands my “why’s”. It is often at the most desperate points in our lives when we ask God the tough questions, and He sees us in that desperation. He hears and feels our sincere heart and humble despair. And the God I know doesn’t chastise us when we are in that space, He comforts us.
Maybe you have some “why’s” of your own that are awaiting God’s tender response. Why did that trauma have to happen to me? Why do I have to fight to be accepted for who I am and who I want to be? Why is my racial group or ethnic heritage consistently disempowered? Why do I have to navigate this differential ability or chronic health condition? Why must there be war and unrest? Why did I have to lose that person? Why did that relationship have to end? Why is loving this person so challenging? Why hasn’t this happened for me yet? Why is this so difficult? Why am I here?...
I’m not here to impose my explanations to your why’s because that would be irresponsible of me as a mere human who isn’t the least bit omnipresent or all-knowing. However, what I can stand firm in is believing that God will meet you in your “why” and give you peace, meaning, and purpose that will surpass all understanding. God is one of clarity—He will place the right people, places, situations, or (in my case) news stories in your life right when you need them to bring beautiful clarity to your earnest questions.
So, today, I say ask away. God can handle it. He will graciously take your why’s and give you compassionate wisdom in return. Bring your questions and concerns to your sacred space with God and allow Him to pour into you renewed assurance in His Promises and Divine Purpose.
Reflection
What is resonating for you about this scripture and/or this devotion?
What questions or concerns do you want to bring to God this week?
What do you need from the Holy Trinity to reassure you in your current season?
What intention(s) do you want to set to connect and/or reconnect with being grounded this week?
Related Scriptures to Ground You Through this Week
Proverbs 2:2-5
Proverbs 3:13-18
Habakkuk Chapters 1-3
Philippians 4:7
Colossians 1:9-14
James 1:2-5; 3:17
My Through-the-Week Reflection Guide
A Song of Inspiration
Quote of Love & Liberation
“There’s so much creativity in brokenness.
Brokenness will have you making it work.”
Issa Rae
コメント