[burningtr33]

As i was reading through my bible i happened to come across the book of Habakkuk. It is a relatively short book and i read it within a fair amount of time during my leisure and i encourage all others to take some time and read through this book.

The book starts off when the kingdom of Judah is about to be invaded by the babylonians because Judah must be punished by the LORD because of their wickedness. However Habakkuk questions God and asks why must a more wicked nation punish another wicked nation. Habakkuk questions the God and his goodness.

How many times in our lives have we question God and his goodness? I am not trying to preach to anyone because I am in tough circumstance and I find myself too questioning God and his ways. I think we as human beings tend to debate a great deal in our minds about God and his goodness when are faced with circumstances that are wearying.

I drive about 200 miles each week to get to a church that is in LA from San Diego (I attend college in San Diego). My dad is a pastor and he pastors a really small church (A good sunday has a 15 people attendance) and they cannot possibly afford to hire a dedicated youth pastor. Since I am his son, the responsibility fell on my lap. So I pastor 10 kids and their age group ranges from 4th grade to 11th grade. So each week I must prepare a sermon and worship and all the other stuff that happens in a sunday service.

I am going to be honest, it gets very lonely during the drive and when I serve at church. At church I have no one my age to fellowship with and share my struggles and well the 2 hour drive gets longer and longer every time I am reminded that I am the only one in the car. I get tired and burnt out and question God why I am doing this and ask him to at least send a friend to serve together or at least send a friend so I have someone to share with. I know I am serving God and that it is a privilege, but I am only human and it will help if God could help me out a little.

When I look at my brothers and sisters in Christ that are with me in San Diego complaining about how they cannot find a good church because certain churches are not appealing and such and such (do not get me wrong you must be very careful when deciding upon a church, I am only speaking about minor issues such as style of worship music and such) I get frustrated and think to myself how lucky they are to attend a church close by.

I admit, I questioned God's goodness and his providence. Like Habakkuk, I saw the unfairness of life and questioned God asking him "Are you really good?" I have cried out to God nights and begged and kicked and screamed. Unlike Habakkuk, I wallowed in my sorrows and did not want to see the light.

At the end of Habakkuk is one of my favorite passages in scripture. It states "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights." I love it how Habakkuk goes from questioning God to declaring that God is his strength even in times of sorrow. God reassures Habakkuk by the end of the book that the just shall live by faith and that the Babylonians will be punished.

Even though the waves are crashing and the storm's end is no where in sight, The sovereign LORD is my strength. And as I am making the weekly trips back home He will make my feet like the feet of a deer. And though I am afraid to go on this journey alone He enables me to go on the heights and I will not be afraid.

[OiBoyz]

Thanks for sharing that. There's a lot there that pertains to my life too.

[AlphaSigma]

Sometimes being challenged in settings that aren't ideal are the most rewarding. Thanks for sharing.

[dogfood]

Originally Posted by burningtr33

Even though the waves are crashing and the storm's end is no where in sight, The sovereign LORD is my strength. And as I am making the weekly trips back home He will make my feet like the feet of a deer. And though I am afraid to go on this journey alone He enables me to go on the heights and I will not be afraid.

i like and appreciate what you say here. i do stuff in my life which no one else sees, and yes the Lord is my strength. and good on you bro for helping out.
blessings.