Lament

Over the past several weeks, I’ve been uncomfortably confronted with the practice of lament.

While reading Beyond Colorblind by Sarah Shin with a group of colleagues, we discussed the process of lament over the racial injustice in our communities.

After the death of a student on our campus, our university collectively walked through a season of grief and lament. We’re still there in some ways, navigating the aftermath of such tragedy and loss.

Last week, I hiked a portion of the Appalachian Trail with a group of young women. We carried heavy packs, summited steep mountains, and lamented over our great limitations and weaknesses.

And today, after receiving the news of yet another mass shooting, I found myself returning to the words of the Psalmist: "How long, O Lord?”

Lament is deeply formational. Our honest cries, complaints, and requests connect us to the God who intimately knows suffering and sorrow. When we are honest about our frustration and confusion, we enter into an ancient, sacred practice. Like fathers and mothers of the Christian faith - Job, David, Mary, C.S. Lewis, Soong-Chan Rah, and others - we are transformed by the process of lament.

I honestly don’t know what else to do in these heavy moments. Of course, there is great need for action and reform. But in the midst of such sorrow, in the days of grief and pain, we are meant to lament and mourn. It’s uncomfortable; it’s unfamiliar. And yet, it is the way forward. Today, let us grieve and lament what is not as it should be. Let us cry out to God for his care and justice and guidance.

Below are some resources for studying and practicing lament. Feel free to save and use these images!