How Long, O Lord?

Habakkuk 1:1–4 ESV

The oracle that Habakkuk the prophet saw. O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save? Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted.

Habakkuk 2:1–4 ESV

I will take my stand at my watchpost and station myself on the tower, and look out to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint. And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. 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. “Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.

Habakkuk 2:1-4

2 Timothy 1:1–14 ESV

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.

2 Timothy

How Long, O Lord?

Trouble in the Text

My family and my husband’s family have been Presbyterian and in Pittsburgh for quite some time. And both the Presbyterian world and Pittsburgh have that small town vibe in which everyone knows everyone. So it’s not unusual for me to hear things like, “Wait, what year did your dad graduate seminary? I think we went to seminary together.” or “Are you related to the Howes from Sixth Presbyterian?”

One time, while I was in seminary, I preached as pulpit supply at the first church my dad served right out of seminary. That was very strange, indeed, because they all seemed to know me, but I didn’t remember anyone there because I was only 3 or 4 when my dad received another call elsewhere. Those of you who have met my mom know that I look and sound a great deal like her. I had one woman after church say to me, “I didn’t see the name in the bulletin, but during the first hymn, I could have sworn I heard Patty up there. Then I saw your name in the bulletin and realized it wasn’t Patty, it was her daughter.”

It was both weird and nice.

I imagine that Timothy, when reading this letter, felt similarly. I can surely sympathize with him that even in this letter, he’s hearing about his mother and grandmother and how much he is like them.

“I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.”

There is something special about those qualities that are passed down through families: a call to ministry, a singing voice, sincere faith.

Trouble in the World

But not every family has a legacy like that. Every family has at least some broken places, the things that we’d like to not pass on to those coming after us. Some families pass down very harmful legacies of violence and abuse. But we only seem to want to talk about the nicer parts.

Sometimes, we get so caught up in trying to smooth over the rough patches that we forget to tell any of the story at all. We fail to claim any of the legacy because part of it is broken or tainted.

When the Crisis Center North contacted me a few weeks ago about partnering during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I jumped at the opportunity for a few reasons. First, we are praying for new partnerships and ways to get involved in the community and here’s a great one that just fell out of the sky. In case you’re wondering how you know it’s God speaking. . . that’s how.

Second, as a survivor of an abusive marriage myself, this is an issue that is close to my heart.

As Jeremy and I talked about how we as a congregation could support the Center, one of the things that came up was how few churches actually do anything on domestic violence awareness Sunday. It struck me as strange because I couldn’t even remember observing it myself, which didn’t seem right.

Then I saw it. Domestic Violence Awareness Sunday is, in our Presbyterian Planning Calendar, the same day as World Communion Sunday. World Communion Sunday is such a big deal that even my home church that observes very little of the traditional church calendar participates in World Communion Sunday.

If anyone is wondering what my new soapbox is, it’s figuring out how to get the denomination to move Domestic Violence Awareness Sunday on our planning calendar so churches don’t feel like they have to choose. Because, let’s face it, if you’re given the option to talk about something really difficult and socially taboo or about how we’re all connected to one another through Jesus and world peace and all that, how many people are actually going to choose the uncomfortable one?

Even I was torn. How do you ignore World Communion Sunday - the Sunday in which churches all around the world - even ones that don’t celebrate communion more than a few times a year - celebrate communion as a statement of witness to the gospel that we are all one in Christ?

But how do you ignore a major injustice that affects the vulnerable all around the world?

(https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/facts-and-figures)

It is estimated that 35 per cent of women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or sexual violence by a non-partner (not including sexual harassment) at some point in their lives.

(https://ncadv.org/statistics)

“1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner.”

“1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner.”

“1 in 7 women and 1 in 25 men have been injured by an intimate partner.”

“1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men have been victims of severe physical violence (e.g. beating, burning, strangling) by an intimate partner in their lifetime.

1 in 7 women and 1 in 18 men have been stalked by an intimate partner during their lifetime to the point in which they felt very fearful or believed that they or someone close to them would be harmed or killed.

“The presence of a gun in a domestic violence situation increases the risk of homicide by 500%.

Intimate partner violence accounts for 15% of all violent crime.” (That is about the same percentage as violent crime committed for drugs).

These numbers do not change in any significant manner if you isolate groups based on income level, race, age, etc. Partner violence and child abuse are also highly underreported.

This is a worldwide issue.

This is a huge problem. This is a worldwide issue. This is a justice issue. We as the church are called to protect and stand up for the vulnerable. And yet here we have tossed a token nod at this issue in a way that gives every church out there an easy out from talking about it.

And the first thing we as God’s people can and should be doing to combat domestic violence - both here in our local neighborhoods and worldwide - is to be talking about it!

Grace in the Text

We have to tell our stories. Statistics indicate that I am not the only person in this room who has been a victim of domestic violence either at the hands of a romantic partner or a caregiver. Statistics indicate that some of you may even have at one point hurt someone in a way that could be considered domestic violence. Those are important stories that must be told. Without the stories and experiences of those who have been through something, we can never really come to a loving and effective resolution.

We are told here in 1 Timothy to never be ashamed of the testimony of the gospel - including our own sometimes painful stories of captivity.

It can be hard to tell the stories of where we came from, but the more we tell them, the more in charge we are of them. The less they are in control of us. Own your story, don’t let it own you.

We live in a world that avoids painful stories. We want to sweep them under the rug, cover them up with global peace celebrations, go straight to the hope part where Jesus saves us. But without the stories of where we were, where we are loses its teeth.

It can be hard to tell the stories of where we came from, but the more we tell them, the more in charge we are of them. The less they are in control of us. Own your story, don’t let it own you.

It’s easy to blow off someone who is in a better place in life when you don’t know what they went through to get there.

Those stories of where we were are one of the powerful ways we can connect with others - especially those who are in weak and vulnerable places - those the Bible calls us to be with. Shared pain brings people together. Knowing someone that God has brought through what you are going through gives real hope.

When it comes down to it. . . connection is what Communion is all about. Broken people seeking connection to God and to one another. Those whose communion with God and others has been broken by violence can come together at this table, witness to the gospel story of freedom from bondage, and receive the healing grace of Jesus.

At this table, we leave all our pain, our fear, our baggage, and we step away free to share the gospel in a powerful, personal way.

At this table, we acknowledge that the human condition, worldwide, is one of sin and brokenness. And while some sins vary from culture to culture, some - like domestic violence - span the entire globe. All of us all around the world need this healing table.

At this table, we come together acknowledging all the things that are worth passing on to future generations of believers.

At this table, we acknowledge that “God gave us a spirit, not of fear, but of power and love and self- control.”

Grace in the World

So, this World Communion Sunday, let us not forget that this Sunday is also a day to speak out against one of the most prevalent communion breakers in our world today. Remember that we are called to give testimony to freedom in Christ, even when our stories are painful and hard, even when it means talking about things people don’t like to talk about. Let us come to this table ready and willing to be champions of freedom and justice because of the freedom Jesus offers us all.

It can be hard to tell the stories of where we came from, but the more we tell them, the more in charge we are of them. The less they are in control of us. Own your story, don’t let it own you.

Gathering Song

We walk by faith and not by sight;

Benediction

With gracious words draw near,

La gracia del Senor Jesuchristo,

O Christ, who spoke as none e’er spoke:

el amor de Dios,

“My peace be with you here.”

y la comunion del Espiritu Santo

Help then, O Lord, our unbelief;

sean con todo el pueblo de Dios ahora y siempre.

And may our faith abound

and

To call on you when you are near

And seek where you are found.

Call To Worship

First Hymn

Second Hymn

Feed us, Lord.

Feed us, Lord.

In the broken bread,

Be revealed again.

Come and feed our hearts, O Lord.

Quench us, Lord.

Quench us, Lord.

On this thirsty ground,

May your love flow down.

Come and quench our hearts, O Lord.

Fill us, Lord.

Fill us, Lord,

With the bread and wine

Of the risen Christ.

Come and fill our hearts, O Lord.

Lead us, Lord.

Lead us, Lord,

Nourished here by Christ,

Given strength for life.

Come and lead our hearts, O Lord.