Lament and Light

Lament and Light by Robert Weston, arranged by Peter Richards It never ceases to amaze me how the Lord can be rejoicing with the bride and groom who are plighting their troth to one another, at the very same time as He suffers alongside those who are grieving the loss of the beloved partner. How is it that Heaven is able to delight in those who are coming to faith or entering its gates, even while another loved soul passes forever beyond the reach of Jesus saving grace? God is Spirit, infinitely pure and compassionate, and limited by none of those things that constrain us. As we look around the world, we see many truly desperate situations. These may change over time, but the reality of a world in pain remains constant. We are sharing a precious offering in this edition that seeks to capture in music something of the grief of humanity whilst also drawing us into the light of God’s presence. The theme came to me when I was singing and praying in tongues for a friend, and it developed into a piece for clarinet, cello and piano. The second movement draws us into the light, with the cello introducing the haunting melody of a Swedish lovsång (hymn), a resonant and deep reassurance that the Lord not only hears our lament but takes it to heart. As the clarinet takes up the melody, we find solace in knowing that all is seen and understood in Heaven. From that moment on we begin to hear something of Heaven’s song of sparkling light and love, as the ruach breath of life alights upon the people and the places for whom the Spirit has stirred our compassion. It is so fitting that songs of both lament and praise should have their place in the way we express our faith and longings. True lament is about far more than just songs that express our griefs and sorrows: it is a core aspect of prayer, as we see so often in the Psalms. Lament allows us to cry out to the Lord with tremendous intensity, trusting Him to hear even our inarticulate longings, to care that we hurt and to send His light right into the midst of so much that has failed and broken. May this simple piece of music help you to give expression to the cries of your own heart. I am enormously grateful to Peter Richards for greatly improving my original piano score, as well as playing and recording it. Huge thanks too, to Rebecca Whettam, and Mike and Natalie Halliday who overcame the challenges of lockdown by recording the clarinet and cello parts in their own homes. How wonderful that our God is never locked down!