“The weight of this sad time we must obey; speak what we feel, not what we ought to say.”- William Shakespeare, King Lear
“We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.”- C. S. Lewis, writing to Rev. Peter Bide
As Aubrey Sampson continues Chapter 1 of The Louder Song, she talks about a life-changing concert she attended at a little theater-in-the-round in downtown Chicago. While choir members clothed in all black walked onto the stage., a quote from King Lear appeared on the screen. Furthermore, they started to sing what Aubrey describes as a slow, sad, and ancient funeral dirge. In addition, the mood in the theater grew sorrowful and heavy.
However, as Aubrey focused on that choir, a second choir silently filled the room, surrounding the entire audience. Suddenly, they raised their voices over the first choir and the audience. Most noteworthy, they sang a classic U2 refrain – “I still haven’t found what I’m looking for.”
Above all, note the title of that performance – A Lament. So, Aubrey wondered, just what am I looking for? Hence, the author explains:
“It’s not the pain itself, I realize. . . . not even the grief. It’s not the fear about what might happen. It certainly is those things, but they are coupled with something more, something I haven’t wanted to admit. Something I’m terrified to confess, because then it will be real. . . . Here’s the truth: I’ve been looking for God to show up. Or if he has, I can’t seem to find him. . . . Where is God in this? What’s he doing? I have no answers for these questions. All I know is that God not longer fits into the box I have designated for him.”
Today’s question: What Bible verses, Christian books, or hymns/songs help you process the weight of this sad time? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Avoid or ignore pain – God never does”
