I had been invited into an urban ministry. We spent time mostly with men who were nearly homeless. I was told to abandon all pity; pity gets in the way of community; pity makes US think we’re better than THEM.
Many of the men seemed to be getting through their days. Some were deeply hurting and haunted by past traumas. Their lives were as a land devastated by locust, drought and war, Lives too shattered even to lift up a lament to God, for what was the use.
Yet there were moments when a glimpse of God’s redeeming work was revealed. There were moments when eyes were lifted up to God and the Spirit of Life received. Christ moves deeply within our suffering.
God may have pity upon us, because God is perfect in every way. I came to see that the people in the pews on Sunday are no different from these men. Some seem to get through our days. Some are deeply hurting and haunted. All are in desperate need of the communion with God who brings life.
My eyes are heavy with lament for_________, yet I lift up my eyes to you, Lord. Have pity upon me for my hope is only in you whose promises are true. Amen. — MS