June 17, 2025

Psalm of Lament

O Lord, I am uprooted from my concrete jungle,

Where steel giants once sheltered me in their shadow.

Now surrounded by towering pines and endless sky,

I feel more exposed than ever before.

The sunshine here mocks my solitude,

Its bright façade like the painted-on smiles

That greet me with "Bless your heart"

But offer no sanctuary for my seeking soul.

Where are my people, O God?

In this land flowing with sweet tea and scripture,

I thirst for authentic fellowship,

For hearts that truly beat with Your love.

For the first time, Lord, I taste the bitter fruit

Of being marked "other," of sideways glances,

Of assumptions made from the shape of my eyes—

Is this what You've brought me here to understand?

In Manhattan's valleys of steel and stone,

At least the clouds matched my grey thoughts.

Here, beneath relentless Southern sun,

The shadows in my heart feel darker still.

They speak Your name on every corner,

Crosses crown buildings like royal jewels,

Yet why do I feel more alone in these pews

Than in the godless streets of New York?

You've stripped me of my armor, Lord—

The cynicism I wore like a badge of honor,

The jadedness that was my comfort zone—

To teach me lessons I never knew I needed.

In this wilderness of manicured lawns

And perfectly pressed Sunday best,

I long for Your raw truth to break through

Like kudzu cracking through concrete.

How long must I wander these sterile strip malls and subdivisions,

Searching for authentic faith beneath the veneer?

Yet in my isolation, Your voice grows clearer:

"Share My good news, be My light."

For perhaps this transplanting wasn't loss,

But preparation for Your purpose.

In my otherness, I see others who are unseen,

In my loneliness, those who need Your love.

Let the red clay rebuild me, O God,

May these roots grow deeper than before.

Transform my exile into Your mission field,

My lament into Your gospel song.

Though I am not of this land,

I am Yours, and that must be enough.

Use this sojourner's heart to bridge divides,

To bring Your kingdom here as it is in heaven.

For Your euangelion* rings in my ears,

A clear call rising above the cicadas' song.

In my displacement, You are placing me

Exactly where You need me to be.

Amen.

* Euangelion is the Greek word for “gospel” and means good news.”

Eunice Kim is Chief Encouragement Officer at Purpose Unlock where she guides purpose-driven leaders and organizations to re-discover their north star by connecting with self and community.