To lament is to expose anything that stands in the way of our thriving and living as full human beings.
Lamenting is more than just complaining or grieving. Author Rob Bell claims that lamenting is “the fierce and fearless naming of what’s wrong.”
My experience tells me that there is plenty in life about which we all can lament. There is indeed quite a lot that happens to most of us that should compel us to lament.
So here’s the deal: Psalm 88 is a Psalm of Lament. Lamenting is good for the soul! It is a healthy person who has learned the art of lamenting, of naming what is wrong in one’s life, of what’s out of order in one’s life that is preventing that person from thriving.
Even as a nation we need to learn to lament in all the healthy ways evidenced in the Scriptures. To name and call out the things that is standing in the way of our thriving as a nation.
Do you remember the early days following the attacks on 9/11? In fact on the very day that 9/11 occurred songwriter Alan Jackson wrote a very thoughtful and reflective song entitled: “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)?” Jackson’s hit song was a lament that America needed to hear at that time.
Shortly thereafter Toby Keith wrote another lament that was filled with anger: “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue (the Angry American).” Both songs, one reflective and sad the other filled with anger, rage, and revenge can be helpful in healing a broken and battered nation.
When we lament as individuals and as a nation we are demonstrating our willingness to befriend the darkness that is all around us, even within each of us.
And herein lies the problem with our ability to lament. We fear the darkness that dwells in each of us. We resist darkness. We run from darkness believing it to be too demonic for human consumption.
But let’s remember the final words of the Psalmist:
“Darkness is my closest friend.”
How can darkness be my friend you ask?
Well befriending the darkness within us and around us is in fact learning to lament in a healthy way.
Alcoholics in recovery for example have learned to lament in ways that bring sanity and health back into their lives. The very first thing they learn to lament over is the fact that they have no control whatsoever over their addiction. Anyone who is in a twelve-step program understands that healing and sobriety will not come unless the darkness of addiction is named and exposed and that one’s addiction thrives in the darkness of the human soul.
As a nation we will never heal from our past sins unless we are willing to lament in healthy ways: To name the things that we are collectively ashamed of and want to keep hidden and expose them for what they are.
Look, lamenting is hard work. It takes boldness and courage to name the things that is wrong, that are out of order in God’s world anf in our lives that stand in our way of thriving.
You and I will never thrive as full human being until we learn to lament in healthy ways; to call out those things that are preventing us from thriving as full human beings. Can you name what those things are in your life? Are you willing to lament over them, calling them out and exposing them to the light of the Gospel?
As a nation are we willing to lament over the things that are wrong and are out of order and preventing us from thriving in the world?
Okay I’m going to wind all this up. In some ways Alan Jackson and Toby Keith taught our nation to lament in order to begin the process of healing both as individuals and as a nation.
But know this: all lamenting has a shelf life.
Those songs of lament served a greater purpose but are no longer valid laments fifteen years later. We need new songs. New laments. Fresh laments. But we also need to allow our lamenting to become praises unto God.
Psalm 89 is another Psalm of lament. It is filled with anger and rage against God. In fact the Psalmist offends most of us by calling God a liar. He had to in order to heal. He had to be so brazen and bold before God. God can take it friends. He can handle our laments no matter how vicious they can be.
But please notice the last line of Psalm 89:
“Blessed be the Lord forever. Amen and Amen.”
After all the ferocious lamenting against God the Psalmist finally came to the place of praise and worship of a faithful and loving God. His spirit was healed within him. His place of darkness became his brightest light. He discovered grace. He discovered the salvation of healing from God. Darkness was no longer his enemy; it became his friend.
To lament is to be fully human in every way. To befriend the darkness is as important for us as befriending the light. This is living as full human beings.
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