December 31, 2021
Looking Back in Lament
Crown College professor Karen Gustafson profoundly captures the pain and loss we all experienced in the wake of 2021’s hardships and adversities.

Lament
It’s been so long, Lord
Since we’ve gathered
To rejoice, to sing, to share, to commune
It’s been so long, Lord
Since we’ve seen and felt
The smiles, the hugs, the laughter
When we think we’re finally through the rough spot
Another piece of news drives us back to longing
For relief, for stability, for company
How much more loss must there be, Lord?
We’ve lost family and friends
We’ve lost jobs and homes
We’ve lost health and activities
Lord, do you see we’re running on empty?
We’ve spent it all on juggling kids, school, work, and our own lives
We’re out of ideas to connect with people and don’t even know if they are there
We pour out much more than our container even holds
Do you see us, Lord?
Those of us isolated behind the windows and computer screens?
Or we who live in areas of the world where the resources never even arrive?
Do you see us, Lord?
Who carry deep wounds that others refuse to acknowledge?
Or we who carry the sharp criticisms of those we try to serve?
It’s been so long, Lord.
We’ve come so far into grief and pain.
We’ve watched as families split into factions
And followers of Christ lose the Way
It’s been so long, Lord.
But you never tire to come close to the broken-hearted.
You carry our pain and walk beside
We want to go back to normal
But you want to move us forward
We want to control and fix what’s wrong
But you want to take what’s real and give it new meaning
We want to erase all the difficulties
But you want to shine through each one
It’s been so long, Lord
But give us eyes to see the long view like you do
Eyes that see this is not the end of the story
We groan now in this earthly tent but one day all will be restored
It’s been so long, Lord
That you have known us and loved us from the beginning
It’s been so long, Lord
That the incomparable riches of your grace have been poured out on us
And so, Lord
We long for you to revive our hope and confidence in you
We long to be renewed in purpose and passion
We long for you to refine us so we may walk the entire path with you and alongside
those most in need
Give us a long view, Lord
To see that what lasts forever are people made in God’s image
A long view
To know that right now we see only in part, but we will see face to face
A long view
To live in those three things that remain: faith, hope and love; and the greatest of these is love