Excerpt from Psalm 143

"Pay attention…answer me! Make a clean sweep of those who harass me." (The Message)

Reflection by William C. Green

We're told the Psalms are full of anger toward God, along with praise. But I've rarely heard that anger expressed at church.

We're good at keeping negative feelings to ourselves. It's as though faith requires a positive spin on trouble and it's wrong to count our curses when we should be counting our blessings.  

The Psalms are specific, not general. Often they name names and ask God to do horrible things against adversaries. Sometimes they blame God for seeming to be indifferent to what we face, whether harassment or tragedy.

The words of poet Aaron Zeitlin are instructive: "Praise me, says God; I will know that you love me.  Curse me, says God; I will know that you love me… But if you sit fenced off, then I created you in vain."

Lent is a time of fasting and praying. Maybe it would be wise to consider "fasting" from positive spins, especially right now. Maybe it would be helpful to admit our anger at those who do harass us, one way or another, not fence it off. Maybe it's time to be angry with God.  

Straight ahead is a Cross, and there's no way to Easter without facing it. Jesus was harassed, and far more. He cried out to God. We can do no less when, in our own ways, we face hurt and pain, injustice and evil. Then we're ready for what God makes possible.

Prayer

God, help me to give you my heart, and not just the nice part. Amen.

About the Author William C. Green, a United Church of Christ minister, is the Director of Long Looking, a consultancy service specializing in fundraising and education for congregations. His new book, 52 Ways to Ignite Your Congregation: Generous Giving, has just been published.

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