Making Room for Lament

Continued Easter hope and joy to you today in the name of the risen Christ!

As we started last week, I share another Psalm with you today, the Psalm assigned for the upcoming Sunday.  Today’s Psalm is Psalm 4:

 

Answer me when I call, O God of my right! You gave me room when I was in distress. Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer.

 

How long, you people, shall my honor suffer shame? How long will you love vain words, and seek after lies?

 

But know that the Lord has set apart the faithful for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him.

 

When you are disturbed, do not sin; ponder it on your beds, and be silent. Selah

 

Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord.

 

There are many who say, “O that we might see some good! Let the light of your face shine on us, O Lord!”

 

You have put gladness in my heart more than when their grain and wine abound.

 

I will both lie down and sleep in peace; for you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety.

 

This Psalm, in just a few verses, really takes us on quite a journey!  It’s clear from the early verses that the Psalmist is upset about something.  We’re not sure exactly what’s bothering him or her.  But it has something to do about a loss of honor and an experience of shame.  Whatever the reason, the very fact that God’s Word makes room for this kind of lament, this kind of anger, this kind of frustration.  “How long?” is the cry.  God makes room for that.

 

And amazingly, when given space for lament, a different perspective emerges.  Or maybe it’s better to say a fuller perspective.  As the Psalm continues, the Psalmist recognizes that his or her frustration is not an excuse to sin; it is not a reason to stop being faithful.  And by the end, the psalmist is recognizing and proclaiming that God allows him or her to both lie down and sleep in true peace, a peace that only God can give.  Now, let’s be clear, some laments are not over in just a few verses.  And we should give ourselves and our neighbors permission to lament for as long as they need.  But it is amazing how simply having space to lament can lead us to a fuller experience of God’s love.

 

I’m convinced that we don’t give enough space in this life for lament.  We get uncomfortable when people complain, when people cry, when others mourn injustice and shame.  And we are quick to offer phrases that begin with, “What about …” and usually end with some lesson on how we should be grateful or how we’re never going to fix [insert injustice here!].  Instead, how might we make room for lament in our lives?  How might we make space for the lament of others?  How might our relationship with friends and strangers provide a listening ear that makes this kind of transformational lament possible?  May you be blessed with space to truly feel your feelings – and may we extend that same grace to others, too.


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Our Easter Season Worship Schedule Each Sunday:
    *8:30am – worship in person, or online
    *9:30am – worship on KWAD (920AM or 101.7FM)
    *10:00am – worship in person

Community Dinner Help Needed
Immanuel is hosting the community dinner April 29 (At St. Ann’s – grab and go!).  Peggy Larson is organizing and looking for help.  Can you help with meal prep on the morning of April 28/29?  Can you help serve April 29 from 4-6:30p?  Reach out to Peggy (contact the church office for her contact info)

Check out our news page to learn more and for other important announcements: https://www.wadenaimmanuel.org/announcements

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