The Issue
Human trafficking places itself at the forefront of human depravity. Risen from 27 million only a few years ago to nearly 36 million it can no longer be ignored by the general populace. What follows is a lament I have written structured after the pattern of Biblical laments.
What is lament?
Lament is an intentional emotional engagement with troubling issues. In popular culture, lament rarely finds any space. Yet, it is essential that we engage in lament to properly handle the heart breaking issues we face every day. From the recent earthquake in Nepal to the death of loved ones lament helps us to vent grief to a God who is deeply intertwined with the suffering of the world (Psalm 56 verse 8).
Lament calls God to act upon his revealed character and uses poetic imagery to stress the intensity of the grief.
The Torment of the Oppressed
Shrieks, Cries, Groans;
Echoing from mountains, to valleys, to halls,
Deafening cries,
Voices, ephemeral as wind.
How beautiful they were formed;
the sons and daughters of men.
Nurtured babes,
Glory, frail as dust.
Can their dignity endure?
Will their resplendence shine;
After they are violated
by the sons of men?
To satisfy the thirst of men;
Slake the desires of men.
Innocence snatched;
Sacred glory, detested.
Are you the God who ceases?
Or he,
who the oppressed releases?
The reek of urine,
soiled clothing, broken bodies.
Blood like wine,
from desecrated lives, inebriating minds.
Your salvation came for David,
these cries neglected
My joy buckles to despair.
The idyllic taste of comfort,
to unbearable wine.
Where is your rescue?
Your compassion?
Your justice?
You?
How can I rest
in the realm of Elysium.
If the enervated must endure,
the fate of Tantalus?
Does your temple hold back the horror?
How can your immortal mind cope,
with the screams,
the whimpering, the gnashing, the groaning?
Day and night
they reach your ears.
Moment by moment,
they seize your rest.
Your mind consumed with the echoes.
Like a torture chamber,
the earth reels,
sounds of the rich raping the poor.
Father to the fatherless,
Protector of the widow,
Daddy of the child,
who is raped hour by hour.
Day by day. Year by year.
Rock the earth.
Tremble the mountains.
Make your anger a tempest.
Refuse the merciless mercy.
Release mercy to those withheld mercy.
Those stifled beneath the paw of the strong.
The paw which you've chosen not to break.
Silence the echoes,
Plant laughter.
End the screams.
Sow joy.
Prove your compassion,
uphold your justice,
fulfill your roles.
Train my hands for war.
To shatter their yoke.
My mind for battle.
To expose their schemes.
Your scepter of justice
and rod of righteousness
cannot fail.
You will prevail.
On that day the captives will weep,
this time for joy.
The abusers lie down,
this time in submission.
For now our cry, our stand
our motto be,
"The gates of hell shall not prevail
against our mighty King."
Dan Peterson lives near Chicago, Illinois, USA. He enjoys discovering old books, new places, and good coffees. His dream is to summit a mountain on every continent and have a pet pygmy marmoset.
Dan Peterson's previous articles may be viewed atwww.pressserviceinternational.org/dan-peterson.html