Minor Prophet--Major Proclamation

Habakkuk 2:1-5
I will stand at my watch-post,
and station myself on the rampart;
I will keep watch to see what he will say to me,
and what he will answer concerning my complaint.
Then the Lord answered me and said:
Write the vision;
make it plain on tablets,
so that a runner may read it.
For there is still a vision for the appointed time;
it speaks of the end, and does not lie.
If it seems to tarry, wait for it;
it will surely come, it will not delay.
Look at the proud!
Their spirit is not right in them,
but the righteous live by their faith.
Moreover, wealth is treacherous;
the arrogant do not endure.
They open their throats wide as Sheol;
like Death they never have enough.
They gather all nations for themselves,
and collect all peoples as their own.

Habbakuk...minor prophet...comparatively tiny space in the Old Testament. Yet what a major model of Advent patience. Habbakuk...recognized as one who brought to the Lord the clear questions: Are you here, Lord? Can't you see what is going on? I see it...and I don't see much changing for the better!

Part of our Advent practice can be an honest expression of what we "see" that appears to be "stuck" in pain...suffering...injustice. In our particular lives and relationships there may be places where we haven't seen clear signs of healing or wholeness for years. In our church there are concerns with which we wrestle that seems to evade resolution. And the world...oh, my...how long will we miss the mark as we aim for peace and harmony between nations?

Today's lesson provides the Lord's response to questions that we ask along with Habakkuk.

there is still a vision for the appointed time;
it speaks of the end, and does not lie.
If it seems to tarry, wait for it;
it will surely come, it will not delay.
Look at the proud!
Their spirit is not right in them,
but the righteous live by their faith.

We are encouraged to shift our gaze from what we don't see happening. Look to the Lord to reveal the outbreakings of God's Vision. Look to to our faith, the root and the core of our lives, to provide the solid path through the jungle of situations that confound our minds and hearts. By setting our vision on the Lord, we can look at sudden down turns or reversals (as well as waves of renewal) with gratitude, trust and humility.