{"id":546,"date":"2025-08-11T08:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-11T13:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/canacom.org\/?p=546"},"modified":"2025-09-11T15:23:44","modified_gmt":"2025-09-11T20:23:44","slug":"the-call-to-lament","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/canacom.org\/?p=546","title":{"rendered":"The\u00a0Call\u00a0to\u00a0Lament\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Bible&nbsp;Study&nbsp;at&nbsp;CANACOM\u2019s&nbsp;Assembly&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When\u00a0I\u00a0answered\u00a0the\u00a0call\u00a0to\u00a0ministry,\u00a0one\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0things\u00a0I\u00a0said\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0Lord\u00a0was,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cPlease\u00a0do\u00a0not\u00a0let\u00a0me\u00a0go\u00a0before\u00a0your\u00a0people\u00a0with\u00a0words.\u00a0I\u00a0want\u00a0every\u00a0time\u00a0I\u00a0stand\u00a0before\u00a0your\u00a0people\u00a0to\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>speak,\u00a0the\u00a0words\u00a0will\u00a0be\u00a0your\u00a0words,\u00a0not\u00a0mine\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many\u00a0times,\u00a0I\u00a0have\u00a0proven\u00a0that\u00a0just\u00a0before\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0my\u00a0time\u00a0to\u00a0speak,\u00a0I\u00a0would\u00a0hear\u00a0aspects\u00a0of\u00a0what\u00a0I\u00a0have\u00a0been\u00a0led\u00a0to\u00a0say,\u00a0being\u00a0said\u00a0by\u00a0others,\u00a0sometimes\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0in\u00a0a\u00a0song.\u00a0This\u00a0time\u00a0is\u00a0no\u00a0different;\u00a0yesterday,\u00a0Dr.\u00a0James\u00a0Hospedales,\u00a0Rev.\u00a0Dr.\u00a0Brenda\u00a0Harewood,\u00a0and\u00a0Mrs.\u00a0Janet\u00a0McConell\u00a0all\u00a0had\u00a0pockets\u00a0of\u00a0my\u00a0presentation\u00a0in\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>theirs.\u00a0I\u00a0usually\u00a0see\u00a0it\u00a0as\u00a0a\u00a0confirmation\u00a0of\u00a0what\u00a0the\u00a0Lord\u00a0is\u00a0saying\u00a0to\u00a0His\u00a0people.\u00a0And\u00a0I\u00a0pray\u00a0that\u00a0today\u00a0I\u00a0will\u00a0be\u00a0able\u00a0to\u00a0carry\u00a0God\u2019s\u00a0message\u00a0with\u00a0clarity.\u00a0(Play\u00a0Senzani\u00a0na\u00a0Song)\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our\u00a0foundation\u00a0text\u00a0for\u00a0reflection\u00a0over\u00a0these\u00a0days\u00a0is\u00a0Romans\u00a05:\u00a01-5.\u00a0In\u00a0this\u00a0first\u00a0Bible\u00a0study\u00a0on\u00a0Lament,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>rethink\u00a0our\u00a0Sunday\u00a0School\u00a0theology\u00a0as\u00a0we\u00a0reimagine\u00a0God\u2019s\u00a0creation\u00a0that\u00a0groans\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0face\u00a0of\u00a0broken\u00a0relationships\u00a0and\u00a0environmental\u00a0degradation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In\u00a0Romans\u00a08:\u00a018-22,\u00a0we\u00a0read:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-verse has-text-align-center\">I consider that the present sufferings are not worth comparing <br>with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits <br>in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For <br>the creation was subjected to frustration\u2026. We know that the <br>whole creation has been groaning in the pains of childbirth <br>right up to the present time.\u201d<\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p>In\u00a0this\u00a0text,\u00a0by\u00a0highlighting\u00a0sufferings,\u00a0frustration,\u00a0groaning\u00a0and\u00a0expectation,\u00a0Paul\u00a0offers\u00a0us\u00a0a\u00a0way\u00a0to\u00a0interpret\u00a0lament\u00a0on\u00a0this\u00a0journey\u00a0to\u00a0hope.\u00a0There\u00a0is\u00a0suffering,\u00a0frustration\u00a0and\u00a0groaning,\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0one\u00a0hand,\u00a0and\u00a0expectation,\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0other.\u00a0But\u00a0it\u00a0is\u00a0to\u00a0note\u00a0that\u00a0it\u00a0is\u00a0the\u00a0capacity\u00a0to\u00a0expect\u00a0renewal\u00a0and\u00a0transformation,\u00a0even\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0face\u00a0of\u00a0sufferings\u00a0and\u00a0frustration,\u00a0that\u00a0keeps\u00a0us\u00a0groaning.\u00a0Because\u00a0groaning\u00a0or\u00a0lament\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0sign\u00a0of\u00a0life,\u00a0a\u00a0reminder\u00a0that\u00a0we\u00a0are\u00a0not\u00a0dead\u00a0and\u00a0that\u00a0where\u00a0there\u00a0is\u00a0life,\u00a0there\u00a0is\u00a0hope.\u00a0Hope\u00a0is\u00a0the\u00a0fuel\u00a0that\u00a0keeps\u00a0us\u00a0going\u00a0on\u00a0our\u00a0journey\u00a0to\u00a0experience\u00a0God\u2019s\u00a0peace.\u00a0Because\u00a0God\u2019s\u00a0peace\u00a0is\u00a0the\u00a0ultimate.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u00a0therefore\u00a0posit\u00a0that\u00a0the\u00a0call\u00a0to\u00a0lament\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0call\u00a0to\u00a0Prayer,\u00a0Protest\u00a0and\u00a0Prophetic\u00a0proclamation.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u2219Prayer\u00a0as\u00a0aspiration\u00a0(As\u00a0the\u00a0deer\u00a0pants\u00a0for\u00a0the\u00a0water\u00a0so\u00a0my\u00a0soul\u00a0pants\u00a0for\u00a0God,\u00a0Ps\u00a042)\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u2219Protest\u00a0as\u00a0hope\u00a0in\u00a0action\u00a0(Anger\u00a0and\u00a0Courage\u00a0anger\u00a0at\u00a0injustice\u00a0and\u00a0courage\u00a0to\u00a0do\u00a0something\u00a0about\u00a0it,\u00a0St\u00a0Augustine)\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u2219Prophetic\u00a0Proclamation,\u00a0as\u00a0declaring\u00a0God\u2019s\u00a0word\u00a0(Thus\u00a0saith\u00a0the\u00a0Lord-Is.\u00a048:\u00a017;\u00a0Ex\u00a04:\u00a022;\u00a0Judges\u00a06:\u00a08;\u00a02\u00a0Sam\u00a07:\u00a08;\u00a02\u00a0Kings\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>20:\u00a05;\u00a0is\u00a052:\u00a04-5)\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Someone\u00a0recently\u00a0asked\u00a0the\u00a0question:\u00a0\u201cHow\u00a0do\u00a0you\u00a0not\u00a0feel\u00a0overwhelmingly\u00a0hopeless\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0face\u00a0of\u00a0life\u2019s\u00a0pain?\u201d\u00a0This\u00a0question\u00a0comes\u00a0from\u00a0a\u00a0practising\u00a0Community\u00a0Development\u00a0Specialist,\u00a0who,\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0face\u00a0of\u00a0mounting\u00a0social\u00a0problems,\u00a0finds\u00a0the\u00a0task\u00a0a\u00a0daunting\u00a0one.\u00a0She\u00a0speaks\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0circumstances\u00a0of\u00a0a\u00a0vastly populated\u00a0homeless\u00a0community,\u00a0the\u00a0despicable\u00a0conditions\u00a0under\u00a0which\u00a0they\u00a0live,\u00a0the\u00a0exposure\u00a0to\u00a0sun,\u00a0 rain,\u00a0and\u00a0snow,\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0sense\u00a0of\u00a0despair\u00a0that\u00a0seems\u00a0to\u00a0permeate\u00a0their\u00a0lived\u00a0realities.\u00a0She\u00a0wonders whether,\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0face\u00a0of\u00a0such\u00a0blatant\u00a0social\u00a0brokenness,\u00a0one\u00a0can\u00a0speak\u00a0of\u00a0hope.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This\u00a0may\u00a0very\u00a0well\u00a0be\u00a0the\u00a0situation\u00a0with\u00a0which\u00a0we\u00a0are\u00a0confronted\u00a0every\u00a0day\u00a0of\u00a0our\u00a0ministry.\u00a0Certainly,\u00a0in\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jamaica,\u00a0the\u00a0social\u00a0landscape\u00a0looks\u00a0dim.\u00a0It\u00a0doesn\u2019t\u00a0matter\u00a0how\u00a0hard\u00a0we\u00a0try\u00a0to\u00a0sanitise\u00a0it;\u00a0we\u00a0are\u00a0daily\u00a0bombarded\u00a0with\u00a0another\u00a0brutal\u00a0murder,\u00a0another\u00a0kidnapping,\u00a0another\u00a0case\u00a0of\u00a0fraud,\u00a0another\u00a0scamming episode,\u00a0another\u00a0disruption\u00a0in\u00a0our\u00a0schools,\u00a0all\u00a0reminding\u00a0us\u00a0that\u00a0these\u00a0social\u00a0challenges\u00a0are\u00a0not\u00a0easily dismissed.\u00a0And\u00a0the\u00a0question\u00a0is,\u00a0how\u00a0do\u00a0we\u00a0proclaim\u00a0peace\u00a0in\u00a0such\u00a0a\u00a0context,\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0face\u00a0of\u00a0such\u00a0life-denying,\u00a0heartbroken situations? To\u00a0compound\u00a0this\u00a0problem, \u00a0we\u00a0each\u00a0find\u00a0ourselves struggling\u00a0to make\u00a0sense\u00a0of\u00a0our circumstances\u00a0in\u00a0an economically\u00a0volatile\u00a0context. Sending\u00a0our\u00a0children\u00a0to\u00a0school, \u00a0meeting\u00a0all\u00a0the\u00a0medical\u00a0expenses,\u00a0securing\u00a0or\u00a0maintaining\u00a0a\u00a0home,\u00a0preparing\u00a0for\u00a0retirement\u00a0or\u00a0just simply\u00a0managing\u00a0the\u00a0monthly\u00a0unavoidable\u00a0expenses,\u00a0such\u00a0as\u00a0grocery\u00a0and\u00a0utility\u00a0bills.\u00a0How\u00a0do\u00a0we\u00a0rise from\u00a0our\u00a0struggle to\u00a0be\u00a0the\u00a0voice\u00a0that\u00a0inspires\u00a0hope\u00a0and\u00a0affirms\u00a0peace?\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Is.\u00a052:\u00a01-12,\u00a0reminds\u00a0us\u00a0that\u00a0Isaiah,\u00a0like\u00a0so\u00a0many\u00a0others\u00a0-Moses,\u00a0Elijah,\u00a0Esther\u00a0or\u00a0Jeremiah,\u00a0to\u00a0name\u00a0a\u00a0few\u00a0\u2013\u00a0all\u00a0proclaimed\u00a0God\u2019s\u00a0message\u00a0of\u00a0peace\u00a0or\u00a0participated\u00a0in\u00a0God\u2019s\u00a0acts\u00a0of\u00a0shalom\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0midst\u00a0of\u00a0their\u00a0own\u00a0pain.\u00a0They\u00a0were\u00a0part\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0oppressed\u00a0community.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u2219Moses\u00a0had\u00a0to\u00a0watch,\u00a0with\u00a0immense\u00a0pain,\u00a0the\u00a0scandal\u00a0of\u00a0his\u00a0own\u00a0people\u00a0being\u00a0required\u00a0to\u00a0make\u00a0bricks\u00a0without\u00a0straw\u00a0(blood\u00a0out\u00a0of\u00a0stone).\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u2219Elijah\u00a0ran\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0cave\u00a0of\u00a0self-pity\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0face\u00a0of\u00a0Ahab\u2019s\u00a0and\u00a0Jezebel\u2019s\u00a0threat\u00a0to\u00a0his\u00a0life.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u2219Esther\u00a0endured\u00a0the\u00a0pain\u00a0and\u00a0indignity\u00a0of\u00a0having\u00a0to\u00a0approach\u00a0her\u00a0husband,\u00a0the\u00a0King,\u00a0in\u00a0disguise\u00a0for fear\u00a0of\u00a0her\u00a0life.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u2219Jeremiah\u00a0lamented\u00a0the\u00a0day\u00a0he\u00a0was\u00a0born\u00a0and\u00a0accused\u00a0God\u00a0of\u00a0deceiving\u00a0him.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u2219Amos\u00a0spoke\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0injustices\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0people\u00a0even\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0face\u00a0of\u00a0severe\u00a0opposition.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Proclaiming\u00a0the\u00a0gospel\u00a0of\u00a0peace\u00a0for\u00a0them\u00a0did\u00a0not\u00a0happen\u00a0without\u00a0the\u00a0pressure\u00a0of\u00a0oppressive\u00a0forces,\u00a0 opposing\u00a0influences,\u00a0overzealous\u00a0detractors,\u00a0and\u00a0personal\u00a0obstacles.\u00a0You\u00a0and\u00a0I\u00a0will\u00a0learn\u00a0from\u00a0them\u00a0that\u00a0it\u00a0is\u00a0not\u00a0an\u00a0easy\u00a0road,\u00a0but\u00a0we\u00a0are\u00a0given\u00a0the\u00a0message\u00a0of\u00a0hope\u00a0and\u00a0peace.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u00a0must\u00a0be\u00a0proclaimed\u00a0that\u00a0the broken-hearted, the\u00a0dispirited,\u00a0 and\u00a0those\u00a0at\u00a0breaking point\u00a0of\u00a0a\u00a0difficult\u00a0life\u00a0will\u00a0claim\u00a0their\u00a0freedom\u00a0and\u00a0live\u00a0to\u00a0tell\u00a0the story.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Isaiah\u2019s\u00a0proclamation\u00a0of\u00a0peace\u00a0is\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0midst\u00a0of\u00a0one\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0most\u00a0severe\u00a0moments\u00a0of\u00a0trial\u00a0for\u00a0Israel.\u00a0\u00a0Isaiah\u00a0himself\u00a0is\u00a0part\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0exiled\u00a0community.\u00a0He\u00a0is\u00a0equally\u00a0under\u00a0the\u00a0spell\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0Babylonian\u00a0captivity.\u00a0It\u00a0is\u00a0from\u00a0the\u00a0pit\u00a0of\u00a0oppression\u00a0that\u00a0he\u00a0speaks.\u00a0His\u00a0speech\u00a0is\u00a0a lament.\u00a0His\u00a0message\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0call\u00a0for\u00a0all\u00a0Jerusalem\u00a0to awake\u00a0and\u00a0arise\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0possibility\u00a0of\u00a0a\u00a0new\u00a0day.\u00a0It\u00a0is\u00a0an\u00a0eschatological\u00a0moment the\u00a0what\u00a0is\u00a0to\u00a0come,\u00a0is\u00a0already\u00a0being\u00a0declared\u00a0as\u00a0a\u00a0present\u00a0reality.\u00a0Perk\u00a0yourself up.\u00a0\u201cDress\u00a0up,\u00a0put\u00a0on\u00a0a beautiful\u00a0garment,\u00a0shake\u00a0yourself\u00a0from\u00a0the\u00a0dust\u201d.\u00a0The\u00a0enemy\u00a0of\u00a0God\u2019s\u00a0peace\u00a0shall\u00a0no\u00a0longer\u00a0have dominion\u00a0over\u00a0you (1-2).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This\u00a0is\u00a0good\u00a0news\u00a0in\u00a0challenging\u00a0times.\u00a0<strong>Let\u00a0the\u00a0dancing\u00a0begin!\u00a0<\/strong>It\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0dance\u00a0of\u00a0lament.\u00a0Thus\u00a0saith\u00a0the\u00a0Lord:-<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You\u00a0will\u00a0be\u00a0sold\u00a0for\u00a0nothing\u00a0and\u00a0without\u00a0money\u00a0you\u00a0will\u00a0be\u00a0redeemed\u00a0(3)\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>God\u2019s\u00a0people\u00a0will\u00a0know\u00a0God\u2019s\u00a0name\u00a0(6)\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When\u00a0the\u00a0Lord\u00a0returns\u00a0to\u00a0Zion,\u00a0God\u2019s\u00a0people\u00a0will\u00a0see\u00a0it\u00a0with\u00a0their\u00a0own\u00a0eyes\u00a0(8)\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>All\u00a0the\u00a0ends\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0earth\u00a0will\u00a0see\u00a0the\u00a0salvation\u00a0of\u00a0God\u00a0(10)\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You\u00a0will\u00a0not\u00a0leave\u00a0in\u00a0haste\u00a0or\u00a0go\u00a0in\u00a0flight;\u00a0for\u00a0the\u00a0Lord\u00a0will\u00a0go\u00a0before\u00a0you,\u00a0the\u00a0God\u00a0of\u00a0Israel\u00a0will\u00a0be\u00a0your\u00a0rear\u00a0guard\u00a0(12)\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The\u00a0call\u00a0to\u00a0lament\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0call\u00a0to\u00a0stay\u00a0connected\u00a0to\u00a0life,\u00a0to\u00a0resist\u00a0the\u00a0temptation\u00a0to\u00a0surrender\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0devastation\u00a0and\u00a0degradation\u00a0of\u00a0life\u00a0as\u00a0we\u00a0know\u00a0it\u00a0and\u00a0to\u00a0revisit\u00a0and\u00a0reclaim\u00a0the\u00a0beauty\u00a0and\u00a0bliss\u00a0of\u00a0God\u2019s\u00a0creation.\u00a0\u00a0To\u00a0do\u00a0so\u00a0we\u00a0must\u00a0join\u00a0Professor\u00a0Cynthia\u00a0Moe-Lobeda\u00a0in\u00a0her\u00a0call\u00a0for\u00a0a\u00a0\u201cresponsible\u00a0moral\u00a0consciousness\u201d\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Resisting\u00a0Structural\u00a0Evil\u00a0(119).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In\u00a0her\u00a0reflection\u00a0on\u00a0\u201cneighbour\u00a0love\u201d,\u00a0Moe-Lobeda\u00a0clearly\u00a0and\u00a0carefully\u00a0articulates\u00a0the\u00a0potency\u00a0of\u00a0love\u00a0in\u00a0relationships\u00a0with\u00a0the\u00a0neighbour,\u00a0positing that\u00a0the\u00a0\u201cmystery\u00a0it\u00a0bespeaks\u201d\u00a0is\u00a0much\u00a0stronger\u00a0and\u00a0far\u00a0more\u00a0powerful\u00a0than\u00a0the\u00a0word\u00a0itself\u00a0(185).\u00a0\u00a0In\u00a0a recent\u00a0bible\u00a0study\u00a0on\u00a0\u201cSin\u00a0and\u00a0Forgiveness\u201d,\u00a0organised\u00a0by\u00a0the\u00a0Webster\u00a0Memorial\u00a0United\u00a0Church,\u00a0the presenter\u00a0shared\u00a0what\u00a0I\u00a0describe\u00a0as\u00a0a\u00a0horrendous\u00a0account\u00a0of\u00a0his\u00a0visit\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0Elmina\u00a0Castle\u00a0(slave\u00a0dungeon)\u00a0in\u00a0Accra,\u00a0Ghana.\u00a0\u00a0As\u00a0he\u00a0recounted\u00a0his\u00a0tour\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0horrors\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0holding\u00a0cell\u00a0for\u00a0the\u00a0\u2018obstinate\u2019,\u00a0the women\u2019s\u00a0dungeon,\u00a0that\u00a0led\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0Governor\u2019s\u00a0quarters,\u00a0where\u00a0mothers\u00a0and\u00a0daughters\u00a0awaited\u00a0their\u00a0fate,\u00a0 as\u00a0sex slaves,\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0room\u00a0of\u00a0no\u00a0return, \u00a0where\u00a0free\u00a0Africans\u00a0awaited\u00a0the next\u00a0ship\u00a0to\u00a0hurdle\u00a0them away\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0Caribbean,\u00a0as\u00a0slaves,\u00a0I\u00a0felt\u00a0the\u00a0anger\u00a0welling\u00a0up\u00a0inside\u00a0of\u00a0me\u00a0(Series\u00a0on\u00a0Fundamentals\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0 Faith,\u00a0Webster\u00a0Memorial\u00a0United\u00a0Church,\u00a0Sin\u00a0and\u00a0Forgiveness,\u00a01\u00a0November,\u00a02022).\u00a0I\u00a0found\u00a0it\u00a0difficult\u00a0to\u00a0reconcile\u00a0with\u00a0this barbaric\u00a0and\u00a0inhumane treatment\u00a0of\u00a0one\u00a0set\u00a0of\u00a0human beings\u00a0by\u00a0another.\u00a0 This\u00a0led\u00a0me\u00a0to\u00a0wonder\u00a0whether\u00a0any love relationship could emerge\u00a0and\u00a0be\u00a0sustained between\u00a0the dominant\u00a0enslavers and the\u00a0enslaved. To\u00a0speak\u00a0of\u00a0neighbour\u00a0in such\u00a0a\u00a0context\u00a0is\u00a0to\u00a0speak\u00a0of\u00a0the powerful\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0privileged,\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0one\u00a0hand,\u00a0 and\u00a0what\u00a0Moe-Lobeda\u00a0refers\u00a0to\u00a0as those\u00a0on the\u00a0\u201cunderside\u201d\u00a0of\u00a0society,\u00a0or\u00a0the\u00a0other\u00a0(119).\u00a0Loving\u00a0one&#8217;s\u00a0neighbour\u00a0in\u00a0such\u00a0a\u00a0context\u00a0is\u00a0challenging.\u00a0\u00a0Herein\u00a0lies\u00a0the\u00a0lament.\u00a0\u201cTo\u00a0be\u00a0guided\u00a0by\u00a0the\u00a0call\u00a0to\u00a0love\u00a0is\u00a0to\u00a0accept\u00a0the\u00a0tempestuous\u00a0waves\u00a0of\u00a0moral\u00a0ambiguity\u00a0at\u00a0the\u00a0heart\u00a0and\u00a0soul\u00a0of\u00a0life\u00a0itself\u201d\u00a0(Moe-Lobeda,\u00a0185). \u00a0She\u00a0is\u00a0right, but\u00a0this\u00a0is\u00a0no\u00a0easy\u00a0pill to\u00a0swallow, \u00a0as\u00a0the\u00a0saying\u00a0goes.\u00a0This\u00a0calls\u00a0for\u00a0the theological\u00a0high road, the theology that helps us see that unless we can rise above our pain and embrace the possibility of\u00a0restored\u00a0and\u00a0healed\u00a0relationships,\u00a0all\u00a0of\u00a0life\u00a0will\u00a0be\u00a0marked\u00a0and\u00a0marred\u00a0by\u00a0hostility.\u00a0The\u00a0call\u00a0to\u00a0lament\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0call\u00a0to\u00a0imagine\u00a0a\u00a0more\u00a0hospitable\u00a0society\u00a0in\u00a0which\u00a0love\u00a0can\u00a0be\u00a0expressed\u00a0to\u00a0one\u00a0another.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In\u00a0Jesus\u2019\u00a0teaching\u00a0of\u00a0his\u00a0first\u00a0disciples,\u00a0he\u00a0made\u00a0it\u00a0clear\u00a0that\u00a0the\u00a0\u201ceye\u00a0for\u00a0eye\u201d\u00a0principle,\u00a0enunciated\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0law\u00a0of\u00a0Moses,\u00a0will\u00a0not\u00a0suffice\u00a0in\u00a0his\u00a0community\u00a0(Mt\u00a05:\u00a038,\u00a0NRSV).\u00a0Nelson\u00a0Mandela,\u00a0on\u00a0leaving\u00a0his\u00a0cell,\u00a0 where\u00a0he\u00a0was\u00a0held\u00a0by\u00a0the\u00a0prejudice\u00a0and\u00a0hatred\u00a0of\u00a0racism,\u00a0knew\u00a0that\u00a0leaving\u00a0his\u00a0\u201cbitterness\u00a0and\u00a0hatred\u00a0behind\u201d\u00a0was\u00a0the\u00a0only\u00a0path\u00a0to\u00a0freedom.\u00a0\u00a0Otherwise,\u00a0as\u00a0he\u00a0said,\u00a0\u201cI\u2019d\u00a0still\u00a0be\u00a0in\u00a0prison\u201d\u00a0(<a href=\"https:\/\/borgenproject.org\">https:\/\/borgenproject.org<\/a>).\u00a0I\u00a0agree,\u00a0and\u00a0because\u00a0I\u00a0believe\u00a0that\u00a0peace\u00a0is\u00a0the\u00a0end\u00a0game,\u00a0I\u00a0am\u00a0prepared\u00a0to\u00a0be\u00a0part\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0lament towards\u00a0this\u00a0life-transforming\u00a0love,\u00a0which\u00a0moves\u00a0us\u00a0beyond\u00a0the\u00a0history\u00a0of\u00a0hostility\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0journey\u00a0of\u00a0hospitality,\u00a0where justice\u00a0and\u00a0peace\u00a0constitute\u00a0the\u00a0standard\u00a0by\u00a0which\u00a0we\u00a0live\u00a0in\u00a0community. But\u00a0there\u00a0is\u00a0another\u00a0dimension\u00a0to\u00a0this\u00a0community\u00a0experience\u00a0about\u00a0which\u00a0Lament\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0fundamental requirement.\u00a0Moe-Lobeda\u00a0contends\u00a0that\u00a0the\u00a0Christian\u00a0ethic\u00a0to\u00a0love\u00a0one\u2019s\u00a0neighbour\u00a0\u201cextends\u00a0beyond\u00a0the\u00a0human\u201d,\u00a0to incorporate\u00a0the\u00a0\u201cother-than-human\u00a0parts\u00a0of\u00a0creation\u201d.\u00a0Drawing\u00a0insights\u00a0from\u00a0H.\u00a0Richard\u00a0Niebuhr,\u00a0who\u00a0postulates\u00a0that\u00a0\u201cMy\u00a0neighbour is\u00a0animal\u00a0and\u00a0inorganic\u00a0beings\u2026\u00a0all\u00a0that\u00a0participates\u00a0in\u00a0being\u201d,\u00a0Moe-Lobeda\u00a0invites\u00a0her\u00a0readers\u00a0to\u00a0\u201clearn\u00a0to\u00a0learn\u00a0from\u00a0other-than-human\u00a0parts\u00a0of\u00a0creation\u201d\u00a0(198-199).\u00a0\u00a0In\u00a0other\u00a0words,\u00a0the\u00a0state\u00a0of\u00a0beauty\u00a0and\u00a0bliss,\u00a0which\u00a0the\u00a0creation\u00a0narrative\u00a0highlights,\u00a0shows\u00a0the integration\u00a0and\u00a0interconnectedness\u00a0of\u00a0humans\u00a0with\u00a0the\u00a0\u201cother-than-humans\u201d\u00a0elements\u00a0of\u00a0God\u2019s\u00a0creation\u00a0(Gen.\u00a01:\u00a027-31,\u00a0NRSV).\u00a0\u00a0 Such\u00a0intersections\u00a0demonstrate\u00a0that\u00a0humans\u00a0are\u00a0unable\u00a0to\u00a0exist\u00a0by\u00a0ourselves\u00a0and\u00a0that\u00a0we\u00a0are\u00a0as\u00a0in\u00a0need\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0\u201cother-than-humans\u201d\u00a0as\u00a0they\u00a0need\u00a0us,\u00a0that\u00a0essentially,\u00a0we\u00a0equally \u201cparticipate\u00a0(s)\u00a0in\u00a0being\u201d.\u00a0(See\u00a0Psalm\u00a0104:\u00a010-18)\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In\u00a02015,\u00a0Rev\u00a0Tafue\u00a0Lusama,\u00a0from\u00a0the United\u00a0Church\u00a0in\u00a0Tuvalu,\u00a0 visited\u00a0Jamaica\u00a0and\u00a0shared his\u00a0experience of the impact\u00a0of\u00a0climate change\u00a0on\u00a0his\u00a0country.\u00a0 He\u00a0spoke\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0rising sea\u00a0level\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0threat\u00a0it posed to\u00a0the\u00a0security of\u00a0the\u00a0people\u00a0of\u00a0that\u00a0Pacific\u00a0Island.\u00a0\u00a0That\u00a0was\u00a0an\u00a0eye-opening\u00a0moment\u00a0for\u00a0me. Ever\u00a0since,\u00a0I\u00a0have\u00a0paid\u00a0keen\u00a0attention\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0sea,\u00a0with\u00a0its\u00a0strong\u00a0currents\u00a0and\u00a0its\u00a0closeness\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0land where\u00a0I\u00a0find\u00a0home\u00a0and\u00a0security.\u00a0I\u00a0have\u00a0come\u00a0to\u00a0appreciate\u00a0how\u00a0vulnerable\u00a0we\u00a0all\u00a0are\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0face\u00a0of\u00a0the sea\u2019s\u00a0ferocity\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0land\u2019s\u00a0susceptibility.\u00a0We\u00a0have\u00a0been\u00a0given\u00a0a home\u00a0on\u00a0planet\u00a0Earth,\u00a0but\u00a0it\u00a0can\u00a0house,\u00a0 shelter\u00a0and\u00a0feed\u00a0us\u00a0only\u00a0in\u00a0as\u00a0much\u00a0as\u00a0we\u00a0care\u00a0for\u00a0it.\u00a0The\u00a0sea\u00a0and\u00a0land\u00a0are\u00a0our\u00a0neighbours,\u00a0providing\u00a0food,\u00a0beauty\u00a0and\u00a0refreshment\u00a0for\u00a0us.\u00a0\u00a0However,\u00a0if\u00a0the\u00a0land\u00a0and\u00a0sea\u00a0are\u00a0not\u00a0cared\u00a0for\u00a0and\u00a0protected\u00a0from\u00a0toxic\u00a0waste\u00a0and\u00a0carbon\u00a0emissions,\u00a0then\u00a0neither\u00a0sea\u00a0nor\u00a0land\u00a0can\u00a0serve\u00a0us.\u00a0Moe-Lobeda\u00a0is\u00a0right\u00a0\u2013\u00a0\u201cEarth\u2019s\u00a0well-being\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0requirement\u00a0for\u00a0human\u00a0well-being\u201d\u00a0(199).\u00a0Herein\u00a0is\u00a0the\u00a0reframing\u00a0of\u00a0my\u00a0theology.\u00a0We\u00a0can\u00a0speak\u00a0about\u00a0human\u00a0salvation\u00a0only\u00a0to\u00a0the extent\u00a0that\u00a0we\u00a0can\u00a0also\u00a0speak\u00a0of\u00a0and\u00a0play\u00a0our\u00a0part\u00a0in ensuring\u00a0Earth\u2019s\u00a0salvation.\u00a0\u00a0 We\u00a0are\u00a0inextricably\u00a0intertwined.\u00a0Therefore,\u00a0I\u00a0fully\u00a0embrace\u00a0Moe-Lobeda\u2019s\u00a0perspective\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0love\u00a0relationship\u00a0between\u00a0humans\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0other-than-human\u00a0community\u00a0and\u00a0my\u00a0responsibility\u00a0to\u00a0love\u00a0my\u00a0neighbours.\u00a0You\u00a0will\u00a0see\u00a0that\u00a0I\u00a0have\u00a0framed\u00a0my contribution\u00a0to\u00a0our\u00a0collective\u00a0journey\u00a0towards\u00a0peace\u00a0around\u00a0Lament,\u00a0which\u00a0I\u00a0have\u00a0described\u00a0as\u00a0prayer,\u00a0 protest\u00a0and\u00a0prophetic\u00a0proclamation.\u00a0My\u00a0understanding\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0call\u00a0to\u00a0lament\u00a0is\u00a0informed\u00a0by\u00a0my\u00a0reading\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0creation\u00a0narrative\u00a0described\u00a0by\u00a0God\u00a0as\u00a0good,\u00a0very\u00a0good.\u00a0This\u00a0narrative\u00a0is\u00a0despoiled\u00a0and\u00a0destroyed,\u00a0 leaving\u00a0a\u00a0trail\u00a0of\u00a0brokenness,\u00a0resulting\u00a0in\u00a0suffering and\u00a0frustration,\u00a0according\u00a0to\u00a0St\u00a0Paul.\u00a0 But\u00a0thanks\u00a0be\u00a0to\u00a0God,\u00a0sufferings\u00a0and\u00a0frustrations\u00a0are\u00a0not\u00a0the\u00a0whole\u00a0story.\u00a0There\u00a0is\u00a0an expectation\u00a0of renewal\u00a0and\u00a0transformation.\u00a0For\u00a0this\u00a0reason,\u00a0we\u00a0groan\/lament\u00a0as\u00a0we\u00a0wait\u00a0for\u00a0God\u2019s\u00a0new\u00a0day\u00a0\u2013 New\u00a0Heaven\u00a0and\u00a0New\u00a0Earth,\u00a0where\u00a0everyone\u00a0and\u00a0everything\u00a0flourish.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Therefore,\u00a0since\u00a0we\u00a0have\u00a0been\u00a0justified\u00a0through\u00a0faith,\u00a0we\u00a0have\u00a0peace\u00a0with\u00a0God\u00a0through\u00a0our\u00a0Lord\u00a0Jesus\u00a0Christ.\u00a0But\u00a0we\u00a0also\u00a0glory\u00a0in\u00a0our\u00a0sufferings\u00a0because\u00a0we\u00a0know\u00a0that\u00a0suffering\u00a0produces\u00a0perseverance\u00a0and\u00a0perseverance,\u00a0character;\u00a0and\u00a0character,\u00a0hope.\u00a0And\u00a0hope\u00a0does\u00a0not\u00a0put\u00a0us\u00a0to\u00a0shame\u00a0because\u00a0God\u2019s\u00a0love\u00a0has\u00a0been\u00a0poured\u00a0out\u00a0into\u00a0our\u00a0hearts\u00a0through\u00a0the\u00a0Holy\u00a0Spirit\u00a0(Romans\u00a05:\u00a01,\u00a03-5,\u00a0NIV)\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>So\u00a0the\u00a0questions\u00a0I\u00a0want\u00a0us\u00a0to\u00a0ponder\u00a0in\u00a0our\u00a0hearts\u00a0are:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Have\u00a0we\u00a0contributed\u00a0in\u00a0any\u00a0way\u00a0to\u00a0cause\u00a0creation\u00a0to\u00a0lament?\u00a0\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>What\u00a0have\u00a0we\u00a0done\u00a0or\u00a0failed\u00a0to\u00a0do?\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have\u00a0we\u00a0been\u00a0good\u00a0stewards?\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What\u00a0are\u00a0we\u00a0prepared\u00a0to\u00a0do\u00a0to\u00a0liberate\u00a0creation\u00a0from\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0groaning?\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>(Play\u00a0the\u00a0song:\u00a0Lament-\u00a0Psalm\u00a077)\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Group&nbsp;Work:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Describe\u00a0a\u00a0situation\u00a0in\u00a0God\u2019s\u00a0creation\u00a0that\u00a0brings\u00a0pain\u00a0and\u00a0breeds frustration?\u00a0 Develop\u00a0a\u00a0ministry\u00a0of\u00a0lament\u00a0\u2013\u00a0prayer,\u00a0protest\u00a0and\u00a0prophetic\u00a0proclamation\u00a0in\u00a0response.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Bible&nbsp;Study&nbsp;at&nbsp;CANACOM\u2019s&nbsp;Assembly&nbsp; When\u00a0I\u00a0answered\u00a0the\u00a0call\u00a0to\u00a0ministry,\u00a0one\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0things\u00a0I\u00a0said\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0Lord\u00a0was, \u201cPlease\u00a0do\u00a0not\u00a0let\u00a0me\u00a0go\u00a0before\u00a0your\u00a0people\u00a0with\u00a0words.\u00a0I\u00a0want\u00a0every\u00a0time\u00a0I\u00a0stand\u00a0before\u00a0your\u00a0people\u00a0to\u00a0 speak,\u00a0the\u00a0words\u00a0will\u00a0be\u00a0your\u00a0words,\u00a0not\u00a0mine\u201d Many\u00a0times,\u00a0I\u00a0have\u00a0proven\u00a0that\u00a0just\u00a0before\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0my\u00a0time\u00a0to\u00a0speak,\u00a0I\u00a0would\u00a0hear\u00a0aspects\u00a0of\u00a0what\u00a0I\u00a0have\u00a0been\u00a0led\u00a0to\u00a0say,\u00a0being\u00a0said\u00a0by\u00a0others,\u00a0sometimes\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0in\u00a0a\u00a0song.\u00a0This\u00a0time\u00a0is\u00a0no\u00a0different;\u00a0yesterday,\u00a0Dr.\u00a0James\u00a0Hospedales,\u00a0Rev.\u00a0Dr.\u00a0Brenda\u00a0Harewood,\u00a0and\u00a0Mrs.\u00a0Janet\u00a0McConell\u00a0all\u00a0had\u00a0pockets\u00a0of\u00a0my\u00a0presentation\u00a0in\u00a0 theirs.\u00a0I\u00a0usually\u00a0see\u00a0it\u00a0as\u00a0a\u00a0confirmation\u00a0of\u00a0what\u00a0the\u00a0Lord\u00a0is\u00a0saying\u00a0to\u00a0His\u00a0people.\u00a0And\u00a0I\u00a0pray\u00a0that\u00a0today\u00a0I\u00a0will\u00a0be\u00a0able\u00a0to\u00a0carry\u00a0God\u2019s\u00a0message\u00a0with\u00a0clarity.\u00a0(Play\u00a0Senzani\u00a0na\u00a0Song)\u00a0 Our\u00a0foundation\u00a0text\u00a0for\u00a0reflection\u00a0over\u00a0these\u00a0days\u00a0is\u00a0Romans\u00a05:\u00a01-5.\u00a0In\u00a0this\u00a0first\u00a0Bible\u00a0study\u00a0on\u00a0Lament, rethink\u00a0our\u00a0Sunday\u00a0School\u00a0theology\u00a0as\u00a0we\u00a0reimagine\u00a0God\u2019s\u00a0creation\u00a0that\u00a0groans\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0face\u00a0of\u00a0broken\u00a0relationships\u00a0and\u00a0environmental\u00a0degradation. In\u00a0Romans\u00a08:\u00a018-22,\u00a0we\u00a0read:\u00a0 I consider that the present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration\u2026. We know that the whole &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/canacom.org\/?p=546\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;The\u00a0Call\u00a0to\u00a0Lament\u00a0&#8220;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":547,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[36,20],"tags":[34,35,33],"class_list":["post-546","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bible-study","category-news","tag-bible-study","tag-canacoms-assembly","tag-devotion"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/canacom.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/ChatGPT-Image-Aug-9-2025-12_10_53-AM.png?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/canacom.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/546","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/canacom.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/canacom.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/canacom.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/canacom.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=546"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/canacom.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/546\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":552,"href":"https:\/\/canacom.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/546\/revisions\/552"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/canacom.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/547"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/canacom.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=546"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/canacom.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=546"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/canacom.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=546"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}