The Lament

11172016 The Lament 

Part of my pre-class assignment was to write a lament.  Look, I am a moody person, so I struggle just like anyone else.  I have things that deeply move me and things I’m devastated about.  There are times when I’m completely overwhelmed, and fight to breathe and times when I need to take a time out.  However, overall, I have very little to honestly lament about.  As I sat with my prayer guide in hand, I thought about what in the world I could truly be sorrowful about.   

The definition of “Lament: A passionate expression of grief or sorrow.”   

There have been many nights I have been overtaken by grief in the past year.  Heart achingly, truthful grief has come upon me in times when I’d been most fulfilled in the task at hand; during periods of great reward, and even amidst times of spectacular transformation.  I would be at the height of satisfaction or joy, only to feel sadness creep up the back of my spine and wrap its cold hands around my shoulders.  Tears came, and I would express my loneliness.  Isn’t that lament?  Sure.  But it’s only mine.   

Still, I thought about the fact that I can wake up in my comfortable bed, in a warm home and go into my fully operational bathroom and brush my teeth with my own toothbrush.  I turn a knob and clean, clear water comes rushing out at whatever temperature I desire.  I don’t have much, but I have food in my cupboards and fuel in my family-sized SUV.  I have shoes on my feet and clean clothes on my body.  What then, do I have to be sorrowful about?  How can I pray a prayer with a passionate expression that the whole body of listeners can say, “Amen” to as it concludes?  

Then, I think about the current state of affairs, and it comes… 

“Oh Heavenly Father, we are in trouble!  Hear the prayer of your holy people, the people who seek to live out your commandments in our lives.  Listen as we pray.  You are a Mighty God, the only one who can truly save us now.  We need your wisdom and discernment now more than ever.  

Our country is in despair God.  Children are crying at school because of the selfishness of others.  Middle school kids are rejecting each other based on the decisions of their parents.  Young adults are screaming in the streets!  We are tearing each other down in the name of human rights.  How are we to respond as Christians, Lord?  Do we turn the other cheek and let people slap it?  Do we defend our brothers and sisters who are being mocked and risk our own lives?  Oh God this is shameful how we treat each other!   

We come to you because you are our Master and we, your slaves – we depend on you for our very existence!  Lead us now into the way you would have us go.  Protect us from our enemies as we speak the truth in love.  Guide our thoughts and words that we might be blameless in your sight.   

Rise up and defend us, lead us, care for us God, we need you!  Teach us what to do and we will do it.  Show us where to go and we will go.  Give us wisdom and we will share it, for we desire to please you more than anything.  Our hope peace, our desire for unity, our cries for justice are all in accordance with your will; we trust you alone God!  Amen.” 

The world is scary, that’s for sure.  As Christians, we know WHO has overcome the world.  We are an Easter people, and yet we are living like we’re stuck in the tomb!  If we are to have any affect on this world, let it be as the hands and feet of Jesus the Christ.  Let us live, serving others, in love.  Let us listen to the stories of those we do not understand.  Without a response, without judgment, without intent.  If we are to have any impact on anyone at any time, we must start with peace in our hearts.  It has already been given to us, the peace which passes all understanding, His peace, He left with us when He took His seat on the throne.  With this peace, we may move forward, offering it to others in times like these.  Daily struggles, heavy burdens, even during protests on interstates, must be met with His peace, or we will never be able to truly love anyone for any length of time.  And this thing that we’re going through right now?  It’s going to take a lot of time.  We must plan and practice for a marathon, for this, this is no sprint. 

I hope you enjoyed the beautiful lament that God allowed me to write.  I hope you sense that while we are in trouble, times of trouble are not forever; I pray that you know that God is for us, and so, when acting in accordance with His will, no weapon formed against us shall prosper.  When living His will, we are more than capable through Christ, who gives us strength.  We belong to Him, and we belong to each other.   

Thy Will Be Done. 

Grace and peace be with you friends, now and forever.