My God, my God,
why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so
far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?
O my God, I cry
by day, but you do not answer;
and by night,
but find no rest.
Yet you are
holy,
enthroned on the
praises of Israel.
In you our ancestors
trusted;
they trusted,
and you delivered them.
To you they
cried, and were saved;
in you they
trusted, and were not put to shame.
-Psalm
22:1-5
This is a very ancient
and mysterious psalm. Over years, the
name of the author and the circumstances he faced has all been forgotten, but
his words survived… they were carefully handed down from one generation to
another. Over the years, humanity has
found a deep meaning in this unsettling poetry.
In the news this
week, we have heard of earthquakes, hunger, riots, and fear. Every year, Kira and I try to find ways to
help those in need, but this can become overwhelming. What good are my gifts in a world filled with
so much suffering? When I read Psalm 22,
I read the honest confession of someone who was completely overwhelmed. The poet was losing all faith in
God. However, even in the darkness, the
poet still finds himself entangled with God’s love. That honest and haunting image has brought
meaning and hope to countless generations.
Logistically, I
do not know the best way to help the people in Nepal, Syria, or Baltimore. Sometimes, I wonder if it’s even worth it to
read the newspaper in the morning… what good will it do? However, I also find stories of love each
week. I find stories of hope. Wherever we are, I believe we can find ways
to love and support those who are feeling forsaken. I also believe that love will have a ripple
effect, and that is what the world needs.
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| In the darkness, we need love... |
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| Finding hope in Baltimore... |
Blessings,
Brian
