Starting Restoration
For the past ten days, our nation has shifted its attention from solely fighting a global pandemic to lifting our hurts and frustrations to the racial injustice that we continue to see in our broken country. I know that this issue can be divisive and combative, but there is only one true emotion that we should be feeling right now.
Sorrow.
The only logical step to take after feeling this deep hurt of injustice is to lament. Lamenting is expressing that sorrow in a passionate way. We must take this opportunity in this trying time to display the sorrow that we are feeling with passion. There is a book of the Bible that is completely dedicated to this act of lament. And for a moment I would like to quote a few verses.
“For this our heart has become sick; for these things our eyes have grown dim, for Mount Zion which lies desolate; jackals prowl over it; But you O Lord, reign forever; your throne endures to all generations.”
Lamentations 5:17–19
To the believer, all the way to the atheist, we can all relate to these first seven words. Our hearts break for the injustice that we see around our nation. The author goes on to say that the eyes of the people are going dim or filling up with tears. And for much of our country, that has been a reality in the past weeks.
Our nation feels like a place where no right can be done. But during the chaos there is only one deity that we can look towards for full and completely unity and peace.
As I run out of words to say, I would like to quote Warren Wiersbe about this final section of Lamentations.
“But the book doesn’t end with this recitation of the tragic losses of the people. It ends with a marvelous confession of faith and a humble confession of sin. Though the throne of Judah was disgraced and destroyed, by faith Jeremiah and the remnant saw the living and unchanging God on His throne in heaven, and this gave them courage.”
The story of our world does not have to end with this brokenness, as we continue to persevere through this time, we can strive for Christlikeness instead of disarray. We must acknowledge where we fail, lament, learn, and repent.
