What's Going On

What's Going On Scripture Readings: Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4 When the world around us feels heavy with suffering, conflict, and injustice, how do we keep from shutting down? In Part 4 of our summer sermon series, Songs That Changed the World, we bring Marvin Gaye’s iconic 1971 song "What's Going On" into conversation with the ancient prophet Habakkuk. Written during a season of deep national upheaval, war, and social unrest, Gaye’s song didn't begin with easy answers—it began with an honest, aching lament. Centuries earlier, Habakkuk cried out with that exact same question: "O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not listen?" When headlines feel overwhelming, the temptation for compassionate people isn't always indifference; it is distance—retreating into powerlessness because we cannot fix everything ourselves. But both Habakkuk and the Gospel call us to a different posture: to stand at our watchpost, refuse to look away, and meet the world with stubborn, active love. Join us as we discuss: The Faithfulness of Lament: Why bringing our honest grief and hard questions to God is an act of deep trust, not a lack of faith. Overcoming the Trap of Distance: How feeling small in the face of massive global and local suffering can tempt us into silence, and why small acts of courage still matter. Restoring Human Connection: How Marvin Gaye’s lyrics ("Mother, mother... Brother, brother...") echo Jesus’s call to view every neighbor as family rather than a statistic or a threat. Love as Disciplined Action: Why "only love can conquer hate" isn't passive sentimentality, but active advocacy, mutual care, shelter, and accountability. Doing the Next Loving Thing: What it means to live by faithfulness—taking our rightful place, keeping watch, and doing the work of love right where we are. We cannot carry the whole world, but by God’s grace, we are not helpless. Step out of isolation, draw near to your neighbors, and do the next loving thing that is yours to do.