Lament

The sculpture above is installed outside Notting Hill Methodist Church. I’m sure you will agree that it is a very evocative.

After my musing on grace yesterday, I have found myself considering the word Lament. The two seem to go hand in hand. The book of Lamentations in the Old Testament give us a glimpse of grace and lamentation. The author bemoans his fate and the fate of the people of Israel throughout his writing; but these moments are interspersed with hope and grace.

After a period of negativity in Chapter 3, we read these words (verses 22-24);

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
²³ They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.
²⁴ I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
    therefore I will wait for him.”

The grace of God bursting in during moments of despair. There is almost that sense that grace and lament go together. We cannot have one without the other.

This morning I awoke with much on my mind and a degree of negativity. I lamented all that is happeneing throughout the world, and sank into helplessness. Eventually, Helen challenged me and helped me change my perspective. Leading to this musing on Lament.

The power of the figure above, speaks volumes about the sculpter and their skill and observation. Take a moment to reflect on the figure for yourself and try and weave in the words from Lamentations…..weeping not to bemoan one’s fate, but because of the deep love of God, which never falters.