The Duty to Lament: Partnering with God in a Broken World
The city throbbed with a frenetic energy that grated on Elijah’s soul. Towering skyscrapers cast long shadows, obscuring the sliver of sky visible between them. Homelessness, poverty, and despair seemed to fester in the grimy alleyways. Elijah, a young pastor new to the city, felt overwhelmed by the sheer brokenness of it all.
One evening, as he sat in his small apartment overlooking the urban sprawl, he opened his Bible to Romans 8. The words “the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now” struck a chord within him. He looked out at the city, and it was as if he could hear the groans himself – the cries of the marginalized, the ache of the lonely, the despair of the lost.
Elijah closed his eyes and began to pray, not with polished words or pious platitudes, but with raw honesty. He lamented the injustice he witnessed, the pain that seemed to permeate every corner of the city. He cried out to God, questioning why suffering was allowed to persist, why the world seemed so far from the peace and shalom it was meant to embody.
As he prayed, a shift occurred within him. His lament wasn’t just an expression of despair; it was a form of solidarity with those who suffered. He felt a surge of compassion, a renewed determination to be part of the solution, to partner with Jesus in bringing healing and hope to the city.
The next day, Elijah stepped out of his apartment with a new purpose. He joined a local outreach program, offering food and support to the homeless. He started a Bible study in his apartment, creating a space for people to wrestle with their faith and find solace in community. He spoke out against injustice, advocating for policies that would uplift the marginalized.
His lament hadn’t magically solved the city’s problems, but it had transformed Elijah. It had connected him to the heart of God, who grieved for the brokenness of creation. It had fueled his hope for a better world and empowered him to be an agent of change.
As Elijah continued to lament and to act, he discovered a profound truth: lament wasn’t just a prayer; it was a partnership. It was joining with Jesus in the ongoing work of restoring creation, bringing light to the darkness and hope to the hurting. And in that partnership, he found a deep sense of purpose and a profound connection to the heart of God.
Lament: It’s Not Just Okay, It’s Our Job
N.T. Wright, in “Into the Heart of Romans,” highlights the surprising call to lament within Paul’s letter. This lament, expressing grief and wrestling with the brokenness of the world, isn’t just an emotional outlet, but a vital part of our partnership with Jesus in restoring creation. Here’s how:
1. Aligning with God’s Heart: Lament acknowledges that the world is not as it should be. It echoes God’s own grief over sin and suffering. When we lament, we join with God in mourning the brokenness of creation, aligning our hearts with His and entering into His redemptive purposes.
2. Fueling Hope and Action: Lament doesn’t wallow in despair; it’s fueled by hope. By acknowledging the pain and injustice in the world, we express our longing for the restoration that God has promised. This hope empowers us to work towards that restoration, partnering with Jesus in bringing healing and justice to the world.
3. Empowering Intercession: Lament is a form of intercession, bringing the needs of the world before God. As we cry out to God on behalf of those who suffer, we participate in the Spirit’s groaning for creation’s redemption (Romans 8:26-27). This intercession fuels God’s transformative work in the world.
4. Cultivating Empathy and Compassion: Lament opens our hearts to the pain of others. By entering into the suffering of the world, we cultivate empathy and compassion, essential qualities for participating in God’s restorative work. This enables us to act as agents of healing and reconciliation in our communities.
5. Resisting Complacency: Lament challenges complacency and apathy. It reminds us that the work of redemption is ongoing and that we have a role to play. By lamenting the brokenness around us, we resist the temptation to ignore injustice and are spurred to action.
6. Recognizing Our Limits: Lament acknowledges our limitations and dependence on God. It reminds us that we are not saviors, but participants in God’s redemptive work. This humility allows us to rely on God’s power and grace as we partner with Him in restoring creation.
Examples of Lament in Action:
- Praying for healing and justice: Lamenting the prevalence of disease, poverty, and oppression, and actively working towards solutions.
- Caring for creation: Grieving the destruction of the environment and taking action to protect and restore it.
- Comforting those who mourn: Sharing in the grief of others and offering support and compassion.
- Challenging injustice: Speaking out against systemic oppression and working towards equality and justice for all.
In conclusion, lament, as described by N.T. Wright, is not a passive expression of sadness, but an active participation in God’s redemptive work. By lamenting the brokenness of the world, we align ourselves with God’s heart, fuel our hope for restoration, and empower ourselves to be agents of healing and transformation. This is how we partner with Jesus in bringing about the renewal of all creation
Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post