Cry Out
I am currently still reading through the Psalms each day. One phrase struck me today: Cry out.
Why would that strike me? Well, we tend to say, “Cry out to God” in a rather cliche way. When we say it, it’s almost like we really mean, “Go get quiet somewhere and pray about it.” In fact, prayer is the way in which we communicate to God, so there is truth in that meaning. But I think our prayers are way too civil sometimes.
David was a man after God’s own heart. As you read the Psalms, you realize that David’s prayers were often very far from civil. When David said, “I cry out to God,” I think he really meant it. David probably went off somewhere and literally cried out to God — full diaphram, top of the lungs crying out — or perhaps bawling with tears creating a mud stream down the hillside crying out. I’m not sure, but I’m sure it wasn’t simply praying like we think of praying. That just wouldn’t fit David.
Personally, I have been getting extremely frustrated over our current situation. Up until now, being unemployed has not been terrible. I’ve had time to spend with my wife and little girl. I’ve studied for and taken all but the last ARE exam. And we’ve made my last paycheck stretch for about 3 months (thanks to the help of unemployment.)
But, we are having to dip more significantly into savings now. I will be taking the last ARE exam in less than two weeks, with no real plans after that. Our current lease runs out on July 31. I have been “crying out” to God in prayer for quite some time. And I’ve followed up those prayers by doing everything I can think of to find a job in the Baltimore area. I’ve been trying to line up contract work to pay some bills while in transition . . . But I feel like I’m just not getting anywhere.
Today, after putting Katie down for her nap, I went into the bedroom, grabbed a pillow to muffle the sound, and I honestly cried out to God. I cried. I yelled. I let all my frustrations out before God.
You know what? Within hours I had an email about possible contract work and had encouraging news about a possible place to live in Towson.
Do you need to go “cry out” to God? Seriously, do you really need to cry out to God?
