Waiting like Habakkuk

Now comes the waiting...

I've graduated from seminary, been ordained and finished polishing my resume and cover letters. Now I'm scouring newspapers and websites for openings. Every day I look somewhere, and rarely does a week go by without me sending out a resume or three to a church somewhere.

South Carolina, North Carolina, Indiana, Washington, Maryland, Virginia, Georgia, Iowa...I'm starting to lose track of who I have sent what to, and when. A friend of mine who just took a church in South Carolina told me that he sent out 120 resumes before he got the church he is at now. I'm about 1/10 the way there I suppose.

It's early, but I'm already fighting the temptation to doubt, wonder and question. When is this ever going to happen? Is this ever going to happen? What if our lease runs out and then we have to make a decision on another? These thoughts have been swirling about my head for quite some time.

A few days ago, I was struck by the reality of my time of waiting as I read through the book of Habakkuk. The purpose of the book has everything to do with the uncertainty of circumstances and the assurance of the faithfulness of God. Habakkuk voices two complaints: "why does God not answer his prayers?" and "why does evil against God's people go unpunished?" Israel was in ruins during this time, and unfaithfulness was commonplace among the people of God.

God responds:

"Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if I told you." (1:5) "For still the vision awaits its appointed time: it hastens to the end- it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it: it will surely come: it will not delay." (2:3)

And the book closes with the questioning prophet now affirming and rejoicing in the sovereign will of his all-powerful God:

"Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on high places." (3:17-19)

In the midst of great trial and turmoil for the people of God, he reminds them that despite the appearance that all may not be well, he is an continues to be faithful to them. If God is so faithful in so much, how can I not trust him in this little thing? The reality of my situation is made clear by the greater context of God's history of faithfulness to his people. Just as he was at work to move the nations for Israel's sake, so he is at work in search committees and church meetings as churches all over the country seek His will for a pastor. And so is he at work in my life as I wait for the appointed time, to see such things that I would not believe if he were to tell me now.