Our first week in the story of Habakkuk, and the title of chapter 1, Seeing Rightly, caused me to proceed with caution. You see, I’ve been contemplating the word perspective for a few weeks now.
Perspective is about our point of view and there are infinite ways to look at things. Trying to consider all the varied options muddles my mind with too many choices, and leaves me questioning: Which one of these is true? And most importantly what is God’s perspective… how does God see this?
And then the very first question in our study, “What one word describes the state of your heart right now?” I answered, wanting. As in wanting to see things from God’s perspective. I want to see with God’s eyes, and hear with God’s ears. I want God’s truth to be clear. I want true and right perspective.
Whew! That’s a tall order, a prayer I’m not sure how God will answer. Yet I know He will because I remember Paul’s words in the book of Corinthians.
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
1 Corinthians 13:12 ESV
Our friend and teacher reveals the word she wished described her heart right now, and the image has many perspectives.
Her word, “tethered”.
She went on to describe the game of tether ball. A ball is tethered to the top of a pole and the object of the game is to hit the ball until it is wrapped tightly around the pole. She shared her perspective clearly, “I want to be wound so tightly around God that whatever hits me will not send me away from God.”
In the beginning the prophet Habakkuk’s perspective was of a God who had cut the tether that held Him to His people and turned away. At least that’s the way he saw it. And who can blame Him, God’s people were chasing after other Gods, forsaking their faith, and committing violence against each other.
Habakkuk wanted to know why. Why would the God he knew allow his people to get this far away from Him without intervention? If I’m honest, I’ve prayed the same prayer in the last few years.
The thing is Habakkuk needed a new perspective. One that would reveal to Him that God was, is, and always will be tethered to His people. There is nothing. not. one. thing. that will cause God to cut the line and turn away. Not sin or denial. Not violence or heartbreak. Not bitterness or hatred, murder or slavery. Not your failure or success. Not your falling or getting up.
Nothing.
Naught.
Zilch.
I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.
Romans 8:38-39 The Message
So perhaps we begin with this perspective: God will never let us go. In order to see, really see, we must look through this lens. When we do, like Habakkuk, the way we interpret God’s work, what He allows and doesn’t allow, won’t cause us to question God’s love for us. Instead, we may find ourselves praying Habakkuk’s prayer.
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.
Habakkuk 3:2 NLT
Unraveled Love 
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