Note: This is Part III of my 5-Part exploration of Lament. Use the links below to read my previous posts.
Part III: Lament Contrasted
Part IV: Trust Born From Lament
Part III: Lament Contrasted
“Life is full of vexing questions related to God’s
purposes. Pain often highlights
perplexing paradoxes. Lament is
expressed even though the tension remains” (Vroegop, p.95-96).
We can’t begin to understand the mind and heart of God, but
we can be confident that His purposes are for our good and His glory, even when
they don’t feel that way.
Lament in many ways helps us reconcile the truths about God
and what we are feeling in the deepest, darkest pit.
As I have journeyed through lament, I have seen firsthand
how contrasting outside realities can be from my inner realities or God’s
realities.
When the storm rages around me and one bad thing after
another falls on me seeking to suffocate the life out of me, lament leads me to
an inner stillness that God is still in control, and His peace is still mine as
I turn to him in complaint of my circumstances, asking for His deliverance, and
reminding myself and Him of His unfailing promises. When failed leadership and injustice knock
the breath out of me, lament reminds me of the brokenness of the world I live
in and the sharp contrast of my Shepherd leader King who is always just. On the
days when dark clouds of loneliness feel so heavy, lament helps me realize that
I am not alone and that God is right there with me walking alongside of me or
carrying me when I am too weak to walk on my own.
In Dark Clouds Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament,
Mark Vroegop makes many contrasting statements about lament that deserve a pause
for meditation:
“Lament is not merely an expression of sorrow; it is a
memorial” (Vroegop, p.90).
“Lament not only vocalizes the pain but can also memorialize
the message beneath the struggle—if we’ll listen and not forget” (Vroegop, p.94).
“Lament doesn’t wait for resolution. It gives voice to the tough questions before
the final chapter is written” (Vroegop, p.96).
“Lament not only mourns the brokenness of suffering; it also
looks expectantly toward what is yet to come” (Vroegop, p.116).
“Instead of running from the shame of sorrow, lament
embraces it. Lament looks through the fog
for the grace of God’s remembrance. The
road map to grace involves an appeal for God to remember while at the same time
rehearsing the pain” (Vroegop, p.144).
“Lament is never a song you set out to sing. But in the discovery of lament, everyone can
find grace for the pains of life” (Vroegop, p.172).
Lament is necessary to make sense of a life of
juxtapositions. Lament helps us make sense of this confusing, broken world. Lament helps us come out on the other end of
grief and sorrow to the promise of unending joy and gladness in our life yet to
come.
“In lament, we are honest with the struggles of life while
also reminding ourselves that God never stops being God. His steadfast love never ends. He is sufficient. Therefore, our hope is not in a change of
circumstances but in the promises of a God who never stops being merciful—even when
dark clouds loom. His mercy never ceases”
(Vroegop, p.113-114).
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