April 7thHow long, O LORD?
Norm Dyck, Mission Minister - Last Saturday, our family completed our mandatory self-isolation after returning from overseas travel. As social creatures, we struggled with the limitations of self-isolation that were suddenly placed upon us. I will admit there were times when I was just as grumpy as our teenagers who so desperately wanted to hang out with friends. As the days and weeks plodded along, I could feel a sense of discontent growing within me. As much as I enjoy downtime at home, spending extra time as a family, and finally having time to read that book I’ve been putting off for a rainy day – three weeks in with no clear end in sight had me openly wondering and asking together with the Psalmist, “How long, O LORD?” (Psalm 13:1)
Then last week, as though a balm for a weary soul, I stumbled across an article penned by N. T. Wright for Time magazine – “Christianity Offers No Answers About the Coronavirus. It's Not Supposed To.” The title was clearly “click-bait” meant to draw us in as curious readers, but the content, the offer to explore lament was the hope I needed!
We are invited to lament!
We are invited to lament! The simple fact that the book of Job is found in our Bible resounds as a clarion call inviting us to unpack our frustrated emotions in the very presence of God. Even when we fully appreciate the communal value of self-isolation, the need to flatten the curve, and the acknowledgement that our actions now to stay home, could very well save lives…even in all of this we name that Covid-19 has thrust all of us into a liminal space in which we experience loss in acute ways. My son wonders whether high school graduation will be canceled, while another laments the loss of long anticipated school trip with friends. Unemployment numbers skyrocket as jobs pause, in many places exacerbating the financial challenges already present. Neighbours wave and shout hello from a safe distance, the anxiety and fear of the unknown palpable in their greetings. We tune into Sunday morning YouTube church services longing for when we can be together again with the faith communities we cherish. News reports reveal increasing infection numbers while grandparents send questions to evening news anchors asking when they can hug their grandchildren again. Families consider putting mourning on hold as funerals are held at gravesides with five people or less. “How long, O LORD?”
Lament reminds us that we are finite creatures who do not have all of the answers.
Last week a friend posted a social media meme which declared that this was the “lentiest lent I have ever lented!” Now as we find ourselves in the midst of Holy Week, the invitation of lament seems to hang in the air… “How long, O LORD?”
The Psalmist cries out in lament while always clinging to the truth that God remains steadfastly with us in our difficulties. It is the same promise Jesus leaves with his disciples, “I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20b). The invitation to lament names the reality that God’s gift for us is presence, power and comfort as we move through, over and into challenges. And as N.T. Wight posits, “it is part of the Christian vocation not to be able to explain—and to lament instead.” Lament reminds us that we are finite creatures who do not have all of the answers. But in this unknowing we can be certain that our God hears, even in these troubling days as we draw closer to Good Friday’s cross and wonder when the resurrection from our current ordeal will come. “How long, O LORD?”
p.s. Sovereign Grace Music has recorded a beautiful version of haunting question of Psalm 13 that I have enjoyed this week as my prayers have asked “How long, O LORD?”
Norm Dyck
Mission Minister
Norm Dyck works with newcomer congregations and church plants, as well as encourages congregational missional activities and disciple-making initiatives. He fosters intercultural connections across MCEC. Extending the Peace - A new blog voice for MCEC from your executive staff leadership.