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Michael Huston: Lament—A Faithful Complaint to God

May 1, 2024

Michael Huston discusses the concept of lament as faithfully complaining to God, emphasizing the importance of expressing pain and grief. He explores the structure of lament, contrasts it with murmuring, and shares the necessity of allowing oneself to lament. The podcast delves into modern examples of lament, the sacred offering of lament, and the idea of being 'all in' for Jesus Christ.

44:11

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Episode guests

Michael Huston

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Quick takeaways

Lament is a form of worship through expressing sorrow and pain directly to God, emphasizing authenticity in worship.

Acknowledging and expressing sadness and grief is crucial for understanding and appreciating happiness and joy in life.

Deep dives

The Power of Lament as a Form of Worship

Lamenting, as author Michael Houston explains, is a powerful way to worship through painful moments by expressing sorrow and pain directly to God. He emphasizes the significance of lament as a mode of worship within the Psalms, where lament serves as a language of worship amidst hardship and pain. This new perspective on worship challenges the notion that worship should always end positively, highlighting the authenticity and depth of worship through expressing pain and seeking comfort from God.

Introduction

2min

Exploring the Power of Lament in Worship

17min

Exploring the Meaning of Joy and Sadness Through Scripture Analysis

4min

Exploring Personal and Communal Lament as a Form of Worship

5min

Embracing Lament for Spiritual Growth

15min

Exploring Radical Relationality and Commitment to the Gospel

2min

While sitting in a class at the theological seminary he attended, Michael Huston was floored when he heard his teacher say these words: “Lament is faithfully complaining to God.” The teacher went on to say, “Lament is the way you worship to God from within pain.” Huston describes the feeling he felt that day as exhaling a breath he had been holding for a very long time. On this week’s episode, he explains why he hopes to help others find that same relief in the concept of lament.

1:51- What is Lament and Why the Interest? 9:26- Structure of Lament 12:47- Murmuring or Complaining Vs. Lament 15:17- The Necessity of Expressing Pain and Grief 18:25- Men Are That They Might Have Joy 22:12- Post 9/11—A Modern Example of Lament 27:29- The Importance of Allowing Yourself to Lament 31:05- Lament—A Sacred Offering 37:08- A Note on Lament and “Faith Crisis” 39:52- A God For All Seasons 42:06- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

“Lament, in a sense, is the most sacred of offerings. …It’s those moments when we are most vulnerable, most exposed, most uncertain, when our legs are the shakiest. We’re taking that and we’re saying, ‘God this is all I have left.’” —Michael Huston

Links & References:

Michael’s book

Elder Maxwell’s talk about murmuring

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