The Pain of Our Sin
My first reaction to the news this week of the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas was a grief laden, “Here we are again.” Frustration, confusion, sorrow, and lament all rolled into one moment.
As a young dad, it gave me an extra moment of pause as I tucked my kids into bed. I still cannot fathom the weight and the pain of the parents and families in Buffalo and now Uvalde. Yet, I am reminded that there are those in our community and in our church that know first-hand the experience and pain of losing a child. They have felt the devastation that comes too quickly and lasts too long.
The reality of this tragedy and each one that has come before it is the Biblical truth that bodily sin devastates and destroys. That is when we commit sins against another person, particularly sins that impact their physical body; it often comes with and ushers in generational brokenness.
So, how do we as Christians process and interact in moments of such great tragedy?
Lament.
What’s the point of lament? – Lament gives dignity to our pain and suffering.
- Lament is the prayerful process of vocalizing our grief, pain, and displeasure in this broken world. It is not leveling accusations against God for being unjust or causing suffering in our lives because of some spontaneous or volatile anger.
- It allows us to protest sin and brokenness.
- It helps us process emotions caused by sin and selfishness.
- It restores dignity to our pain and suffering by giving it a voice.
How do we enter into the Biblical tradition of lament?
First, actively recognize that prayerful lament is not inaction.
When we enter into lament, we are entering into a God-given and God-designed action that enables us to come alongside those who are walking through tragedy. Your intercession for them is not a form of inaction, but instead, it is the most timely and Godly first action that you can take. Why? Because you are interceding in prayer to the very God of the universe, who is far more capable than we could ever hope to be. You also allow God to center your heart and mind on his values and heart at the moment. We must resist, in all times and circumstances, the temptation to lean in on our own strength and power and the wisdom of the world and this age. Lament rightly centers God, places those who are grieving first, and positions ourselves as supporters and servants.
Second, resist the reaction to explain away or blame away the tragedy.
Too often, we rush into explaining or blaming away the tragedy. That is, we give what can feel like cold truths that dismiss the pain of the moment. Or, we run to blame away the devastation by pointing fingers at whoever we think deserves the chief blame. When we do that, we minimize and sweep away the pain of the moment and the dignity of those who are grieving.
Yes, there is an appropriate time to assess and work to make changes. But, our first response should be to be present in prayer with those who are grieving. And, if we are in physical and relational proximity, let us respond by drawing near to those who are hurting.
Third, resist the urge to make my voice or perspective primary.
One of our greatest flaws as humans is the propensity to interject ourselves into any and every available thing. We have this insatiable drive to make ourselves the center. Just look back at the garden with Adam and Eve; that is what drove their original sin and is the sin nature that we have all inherited. We cannot help, love, and care for those who are hurting when we make it about ourselves.
We also live in a time where social and digital media give us a false sense of proximity and importance. In that, we are hyper-aware, and we can feel responsible for every evil act. And because we each have an individual platform, we feel an ethical responsibility to use it to give our perspective. Again, this places us at the center and devalues those that are suffering. We need to ask, who or what is the focus of my post?
Fourth, take action in thoughtful and appropriate ways.
Just as in the first point, lament is not a call to “spiritual inaction or complacency.” Instead, it is a call to active intercession; it gives our pain a voice and restores dignity to those who are suffering by limiting our propensity to place ourselves at the center. As we enter the space and Biblical tradition of lament, our hearts and lives are also moved to action. But, that action comes from the Lord’s leading and our looking for him to place appropriate and timely avenues in our paths. Our actions will be dictated by the physical proximity of our community to the community that has been affected. When it is not in your backyard, organizations like the Red Cross and our denomination (EFCA.org) will give opportunities to support relief efforts. And, yes, be praying for our leaders that they would lead and govern for the good and wellbeing of their communities.
The pain of our sin is deep and devastating. It is to a world that was broken and devastated by sin that Jesus entered and offered eternal life. He and he alone is the hope of the world. And through him, one day, all injustice will be accounted for, and we will be ushered into an age where we will not need lament any longer.
Come soon, Lord Jesus.