Ccdp Messages

Lamentations is not known for being the most enjoyable book in the Bible but it is one that we can appreciate for its fearless honesty. God has never called us to bottle up our emotions or to keep our emotions separate from our walk with God. Jesus, who is perfect and sinless, didn’t avoid His painful emotions but allowed Himself to experience the full spectrum of emotion throughout His life, including lament. The book of Lamentations gives us a Biblical foundation and, more importantly, an invitation to process our grief, sorrow, agony, and the effects of sin before the Lord. The book of Lamentations shows us that it’s okay not to be “okay.” Let’s face it, expressing deep mourning and grief makes us feel vulnerable. But maybe that’s the point. Maybe we need to take a deep breath, let down our walls, and come to grips with our need for a Savior who embraces us with grace in our grief.

Lamentations is not known for being the most enjoyable book in the Bible but it is one that we can appreciate for its fearless honesty. God has never called us to bottle up our emotions or to keep our emotions separate from our walk with God. Jesus, who is perfect and sinless, didn’t avoid His painful emotions but allowed Himself to experience the full spectrum of emotion throughout His life, including lament. The book of Lamentations gives us a Biblical foundation and, more importantly, an invitation to process our grief, sorrow, agony, and the effects of sin before the Lord. The book of Lamentations shows us that it’s okay not to be “okay.” Let’s face it, expressing deep mourning and grief makes us feel vulnerable. But maybe that’s the point. Maybe we need to take a deep breath, let down our walls, and come to grips with our need for a Savior who embraces us with grace in our grief.

Lamentations is not known for being the most enjoyable book in the Bible but it is one that we can appreciate for its fearless honesty. God has never called us to bottle up our emotions or to keep our emotions separate from our walk with God. Jesus, who is perfect and sinless, didn’t avoid His painful emotions but allowed Himself to experience the full spectrum of emotion throughout His life, including lament. The book of Lamentations gives us a Biblical foundation and, more importantly, an invitation to process our grief, sorrow, agony, and the effects of sin before the Lord. The book of Lamentations shows us that it’s okay not to be “okay.” Let’s face it, expressing deep mourning and grief makes us feel vulnerable. But maybe that’s the point. Maybe we need to take a deep breath, let down our walls, and come to grips with our need for a Savior who embraces us with grace in our grief.

Lamentations is not known for being the most enjoyable book in the Bible but it is one that we can appreciate for its fearless honesty. God has never called us to bottle up our emotions or to keep our emotions separate from our walk with God. Jesus, who is perfect and sinless, didn’t avoid His painful emotions but allowed Himself to experience the full spectrum of emotion throughout His life, including lament. The book of Lamentations gives us a Biblical foundation and, more importantly, an invitation to process our grief, sorrow, agony, and the effects of sin before the Lord. The book of Lamentations shows us that it’s okay not to be “okay.” Let’s face it, expressing deep mourning and grief makes us feel vulnerable. But maybe that’s the point. Maybe we need to take a deep breath, let down our walls, and come to grips with our need for a Savior who embraces us with grace in our grief.

Lamentations is not known for being the most enjoyable book in the Bible but it is one that we can appreciate for its fearless honesty. God has never called us to bottle up our emotions or to keep our emotions separate from our walk with God. Jesus, who is perfect and sinless, didn’t avoid His painful emotions but allowed Himself to experience the full spectrum of emotion throughout His life, including lament. The book of Lamentations gives us a Biblical foundation and, more importantly, an invitation to process our grief, sorrow, agony, and the effects of sin before the Lord. The book of Lamentations shows us that it’s okay not to be “okay.” Let’s face it, expressing deep mourning and grief makes us feel vulnerable. But maybe that’s the point. Maybe we need to take a deep breath, let down our walls, and come to grips with our need for a Savior who embraces us with grace in our grief.

We are going to let the lyrics of the song “O Little Town of Bethlehem” be like a conversation starter for this series. Maybe taking time to reflect on the moment Jesus was born in a little town can speak into our unique year, into our hopes and fears. Maybe it could even give us insight into what God is doing in our little town in Deer Park, Washington, and what God has been up to all along.

We are going to let the lyrics of the song “O Little Town of Bethlehem” be like a conversation starter for this series. Maybe taking time to reflect on the moment Jesus was born in a little town can speak into our unique year, into our hopes and fears. Maybe it could even give us insight into what God is doing in our little town in Deer Park, Washington, and what God has been up to all along.