It is easy for me to throw my hands into the air in despair because I can’t see God working. Honestly, I look for God to provide or work in a very specific way and when he is not working in that way I don’t think he is working at all. If there is any sort of constant in my life as a pastor it is that God does not work based on my expectations.
I was encouraged by how God replied to Habakkuk’s cry in 1:5-11. God choosing to use the nation of Babylon might have been THE most unexpected way that God could have worked in that situation. God is saying, “I am working in ways that you would never expect or understand.” That should be encouraging to us. In those moments when you look around in frustration and you feel alone and abandoned by your Father in Heaven… you can think twice… you can be reminded. You can be reminded that God is working in that very minute and no matter how hard you look it will be impossible for you to completely comprehend all of the ways he is working.
I recently discovered Eric Whitacre. He is an incredible contemporary music composer. He had the genius idea of creating a virtual choir for one of his compositions. He tells the story of videoing himself conduct the composition in isolation. He sent out a request for people to record themselves singing their voice part of his choral composition and send him the YouTube video. He received over 2000 recordings from over 58 different countries. Eric had the video submissions edited (and of course some didn’t make the cut – I know wouldn’t have) into one piece with the voices singing in harmony and him conducting the performance. It is an incredible work of art and I am an instant fan of Whitacre.
Each of these individual videos were recorded in the isolation of their home or bedroom. They were completely isolated and sheltered from one another. Eric was able to hear all of the voices and he smashed them together in harmony. God has a view of history unlike we can ever imagine. He is the conductor who hears, knows, and sees every moving part past, present, and future. You and I are blessed to play and instrument in the greatest symphony ever played. We are able to sing a part in the greatest choir following the most skilled conductor ever known.
Just because you can’t see how God is working it does not mean that he isn’t working. Be encouraged today that his artistry is more than either you or I can truly comprehend.
Have you ever felt like Habakkuk? Have you ever felt like God abandoned or had forgotten about the events unfolding in your life? What was it that encouraged you to push ahead?