I believe Habakkuk is the best book in the Bible that no one reads. When I look around in the world — when I wonder why the unjust prosper and righteous struggle — when I wonder why God seems silent in times of suffering, Habakkuk provides the reminder that the righteous commit to God’s ways, no matter the frustrations of the stormy present.
It hurts me to know this text that I weekly thank God for has been misused and continues to be misused to cause pain and trauma in people. In a sad irony, the Bible was written by the outcast and the marginalized and is misused to create outcasts and to marginalize.
Part of my struggle with pastoral care is a desire to be perfect. After some time as a pastor and some work on myself, I am learning to trust that there is always grace.
We still have far to go. Juneteenth is a chance to remember our country’s practice trailing its aspirations far too slowly.
If we could learn to live our lives with deep empathy for “the other” and truly love our neighbor as we love ourselves, it could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.