When change does not feel like a holiday

What do you think of when you hear the word catalyst? If you are a scientist, your first thought would probably be around the scientific definition. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, it means a substance that enables a chemical reaction to proceed at a usually faster rate or under different conditions (as at a lower temperature) than otherwise possible.

However, the word catalyst has become popular in our general vocabulary to indicate something that brings about change. Again, according to the dictionary, an agent that provokes or speeds significant change or action. It can be a person or an event that provokes the change. I would like to go out on a limb and suggest that those changes are usually unexpected and unplanned.

I say that because of the sheer logic of the human psyche. We usually do all we can to protect ourselves from harm or trouble. Interestingly, many people will testify that sometimes their biggest trauma brought about their biggest blessing.

That, my dear friend, is the conundrum. If we oversaw our lives, we would avoid anything that can bring pain and suffering. We do not see pain and suffering as a blessing. But that is the beauty of having God in control of our lives; He can use whatever life throws to bless us. Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.

The verse at the beginning of the article comes at the end of the book Habakkuk. It expresses hope, strength, and overcoming adversities with the help of the Lord Almighty. However, the end of the book is not how the prophet started. Like most journeys we take on in life, the end usually looks very different from the beginning. That is why it is so important to read scripture in context. It helps us understand a verse so much better.

At the beginning of the book of Habakkuk, the prophet is fighting with God. He expresses his disappointment with God. All around him, he sees the people of Israel sinning, worshipping idols and being unjust. They have become thoroughly corrupted with ungodly practices. Habakkuk laments with God and demands to know when God will come and save them.

How long, O Lord, must I call for help?

But you do not listen!

“Violence is everywhere!” I cry,

but you do not come to save. (Habakkuk 1:2)

Does this complaint sound familiar? Yes, we have all been there at some point or another. We all look at the world around us and sometimes cry out to the Lord, “When are you going to come and save us!”

So, the Lord answers Habakkuk, but like humans everywhere, he does not like the Lord’s response. God tells Habakkuk the Babylonians are going to invade Israel. God is going to use this heathen country to bring about the change that is needed. The Babylonians were known for their strength but also their cruelty. So, Habakkuk knows that pain and suffering will be the catalyst to bring the change he desires, and he tries to dissuade God from going down that pathway.

The interesting observation that I made from this account is that as much as we want change, we don’t want it to go hand in hand with suffering.

We love to say that change is as good as a holiday, but we don’t want change. We love to keep the status quo. Unfortunately, there are times in our lives when the only way there can be a positive change is to introduce something that will cause disruption.

The fascinating conclusion in the book of Habakkuk is in chapter 3, where he writes this beautiful poem/prayer:

Verse 2: I have heard all about you, Lord.

I am filled with awe by your amazing works.

In this time of our deep need,

help us again as you did in years gone by.

And in your anger,

remember your mercy.

The prophet reminds himself of the people of Israel's history with God. He remembers how God has saved them in the past, and rescued them from Pharaoh.

What a wonderful reminder for each one of us. God is our Heavenly Father, and He is the same yesterday, today and forevermore. In the book of Revelations, John writes that the saints have overcome the enemy through the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimonies. (Revelations 12:11) Testimonies remind us about what God has done in the past and encourage us that He can and will do it again.

Habakkuk concludes with these famous verses:

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,

and there are no grapes on the vines;

even though the olive crop fails,

and the fields lie empty and barren;

even though the flocks die in the fields,

and the cattle barns are empty,

yet I will rejoice in the Lord!

I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!

There is a distinct change of attitude here. Habakkuk goes from being angry with God for what appears to him as a lack of response to a position of absolute trust. A trust without limits. He now knows difficult times are ahead, but He commits himself to trust the Lord God of Heaven’s armies.

Where on the spectrum do you find yourself? Are you feeling frustrated because it feels as if the world is growing more and more unjust, and you wish God could hurry up and bring the change we need? Or are you afraid of the change you know is coming and wish you could somehow escape it all?

Can I encourage you to remember that God is in control? God knows exactly what is transpiring in this world that we live in, and nothing is catching Him unaware. His plans and purposes will prevail. Rather, pray like Habakkuk, “Even when everything around me is failing, yet will I rejoice in the Lord.”

Paul wrote to the Philippians to not worry about anything, but with prayer and petition to make their requests known, the peace that passes all understanding will guard their hearts and minds. It is only when we truly trust the Lord without limits that we can respond like Habakkuk:

‘The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.’

A final word on this topic; remember that the greatest catalyst for change the world has ever seen is the cross of Jesus Christ. This event of pain and suffering has brought more change to this world than anything else, ever. The ripple effect of an event that happened 2000 years ago still changes our world today, one person at a time. So, there is nothing that can happen that God can’t use for His good purpose. All the Lord of lords and the King of kings is asking from us today is to trust Him. He knows what He is doing.