My wife kept looking at me wondering why I was in such a melancholy mood last night. I couldn’t figure it out either when I went to bed last night. But as I woke this morning, my thoughts quickly ran to the news I saw yesterday. This is why my heart hurts today.
I found myself today going to the book of Lamentations and reading the Prophet Jeremiah’s prayer of lament. My heart hurts for America today.
Some of the sorrow is for the loss of Pastor Darren Patrick. He died this past week, leaving his wife and four kids behind. God had used him mightily in the spread of the Gospel and was still using him until God took him home. I can’t explain this, but I know my heart hurts.
Another sorrow that I feel is for the murder of Ahmaud Arbery. I want to think that our country can’t be so wicked that we judge people by the color of skin that God gave them. I want to think that we have moved past that and see all as equal under God, but racism still parks in our streets and dwells in our neighborhoods. My heart hurts for the Arbery family. It hurts also for the black friends that I have and know that have to live in this fear. I am sorry-you do matter and we are all equal under God. My heart hurts.
I am also full of sorrow for the disunity I see boiling up in our nation. I am not talking about how we have different opinions; for we are Americans-we have opinions. We have freedom to share our opinions and beliefs. I am doing that right now in this blog. But this is not what my heart breaks over. My heart breaks because I see followers of Christ responding in anger and a lack of grace. I see followers of Christ posting comments and thoughts that should never be posted. I see “Christians” dividing over what we should do politically, while forgetting that we have been called to a greater mission. I think the old Presbyterian pastor Francis Schaeffer said it best:
“It is in the midst of a difference that we have our golden opportunity. When everything is going well and we are all standing around in a nice little circle, there is not much to be seen by the world. But when we come to the place where there is a real difference, and we exhibit uncompromised principles but at the same time observable love, then there is something that the world can see, something they can use to judge that these really are Christians, and that Jesus has indeed been sent by the Father.”
Before you post on social media, before you have the conversation with your neighbor, coworker, or brother or sister in Christ, remember that we have been called to love. Love is not sissy or does not shy away from speaking what is controversial. Love does speak, but when it speaks, “love is patent and kind; love does not envy or boast, it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.” (I Cor. 13:4-6) My heart hurts because I see too much being said and done without Gospel love!
So, I might be a little melancholy today. I also look out my window and see snow coming down in May (this for sure does not help). But as I made my kids French Toast this morning, the old Hymn, This is my Father’s World, played in the background. The third verse sums up where my heart is at today and brought encouragement! These words are what I needed to hear.
This is my Father’s world
Oh, let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world,
The battle is not done:
Jesus who died shall be satisfied,
And earth and Heav’n be one.
The battle is not done, but we know who wins! I will continue to be on mission for Christ and long for the day when earth and heaven will be one! Jesus come quickly!
All Loss 4 Christ 