Lamenting and singing

The process of lamenting, grieving and mourning is different for each unique culture. In the Middle East they have professional mourners who are hired to mourn as a sign of respect for the dearly departed. The more tears shed=the higher level of significance in the society. That is about as 180 degrees from "white" people as you can get. We are a pretty reserved and somber bunch. We don't like getting emotional in public and even that level of vulnerability in our own homes is discouraged. Maybe this is why hypertension and depression runs rampant in our western culture, we don't ever let our emotions out. 

Yesterday, I went to the funeral of Jesse Ben, a Choctaw man who was on the board of the Choctaw Bible Translation Committee. He died of liver failure because he suffered, as many Choctaws do, with alcoholism. He had worked as a translator, his brother Leonard is currently working on translating Romans and his daughter Jazzilyn is helping with the translation process.  Jessie's role and his passing was pivotal in the CBTC community. Many people were effected by it deeply. In Choctaw tradition, they hold a 36-48 hour wake before the funeral. Churches from the area are invited to come and lead worship or sing songs during the time period. There is a fire that burns consistently outside of the home of the deceased, which is supposed to help usher the deceased into the next realm. At then end of the wake all left over food and wood is burned up so that nothing is left behind. Then a procession to the church for the funeral. Jesse's funeral was standing room only. In many ways it was like every other funeral service I have been to. The differences included the level of expressed emotion, the variety of attire (some in suits, some in thirst and shorts), and Jesse's burial attire. Jesse was dressed in traditional Choctaw clothes which consisted of a black shirt with red diamond borders, a beaded bolo tie, and a hat laying on his chest. He was surrounded by pictures of his family. 

Death is hard. As I sat through the service, I thought of the passage in 1 Corinthians 15, where Paul says that death has lost it's sting. In my experience, I have never been to a funeral where people were not fully emerged into the sting of death. Even Christian funerals have this "we know the truth is there shouldn't be a sting" yet ouch, this hurts quality to them. Paul says that when we clothe what is perishable with that which is imperishable or when we clothe the mortal with immortality, that is when we see that death is no longer victorious. And one one hand that is absolutely true. Praise God, Jesse, who I never got to meet, is alive and well right now in another dimension worshipping at the feet of His savior, finally free of his bondage to alcoholism. And yet, those that love him will mourn his passing. This is just another example of living in the both/and of the Kingdom. The Kingdom of God is full of dualities, and our job is to live in the middle of these tensions with both hands open, fully free to receive and live in both the good and bad, joyful and grievous times in life. Jesus is worthy of praise, no matter what our circumstances look like. He is God, not circumstances. 

So if you need it, I give you permission to lament. Ecclesiastes says there is a set time for everything. Take your time and lament. God is not thrown off by our achey hearts, he is not scared of our questions and tears. Every time David laments in the Psalms, he always comes back to the place of praise. So it is with the story of Job. So even in your grieving and mourning, make sure you can come back and remember who He is and His faithfulness to you in the middle of past difficult seasons. If Jesus never does another good thing for you, He is worthy of praise for all that he accomplished on the cross. Sometimes it is difficult to choose praise. Isaiah 54, tells the barren woman to praise because God is at work in her circumstances. Her praise in the place of barrenness reproduces glory in her life and she experiences new levels of bounty. We are creative when we speak. When we praise, we are speaking and creating new places for God to move. Also, scripture says that The Lord inhabits the praises of His people. So in the midst of painful circumstances, when you can open your mouth and sing, you are literally inviting The Lord of the Armies of Heaven to come and dwell with you. Psalms 23 says, you prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. If you are surrounded and the world is caving in on you, then who better to eat your "last meal" with, than the Genesis 1 God? I feel like He might have a truck or two up His sleeves. 

So with all of that being said, Jesus you are "ano fihna chiya" my all in all. I praise you for who you are and al, that you have done in my life. Your faithfulness knows no ends. On behalf of the Choctaw people, and the CBTC family I declare your praises. I welcome you to abide in our midst. Prince of Peace, bring your shalom to the Choctaw people tonight. We say that your name Jesus is lifted up higher than any other name. We invite you to come and have your way on tis Reservation this summer! Jesus, let every Chattah know your greatness, your majesty, your awesome splendor. May they taste and see your goodness in a very personal way this summer. Amen!