When we hear the word loss, we usually think of death, grievance, sorrow etc.
I am referring to loss today in a broad way-- loss of a relationship, loss of a piece if one's self, loss of a loved one, loss of a dream, really a loss of anything that we hold dear in our hearts.
Loss is extremely painful no matter what form. We don't like "losing" anything as humans. We tend to cling to things dear to us. It's a good thing Christ understood loss-- literally --and that through loss God can be glorified and we can find Resurrection and New Life.
In John 11, Jesus felt the devastating pain of a loss of his dear friend Lazarus whom He loved. Jesus knowingly waited 2 days as Lazarus passed. He knew that Mary & Martha would be heartbroken-- He loved them dearly and although He knew that the loss would hurt them, He knew how much more a loss of faith would. --- Christ understands loss. There is a purpose for the loss of anything in our lives. It leads to New life-- Resurrection, Rebirth, change and Hope. Without the contrast of death-- we cannot know Life. According to Moore, in Breaking Free there are 3 reasons for loss:
- Christ never allows are hearts to be shattered without an eternal and excellent purpose.-- in the case of Martha and Mary, their pain was so that their faith in Christ would be strengthened by Him raising Lazarus from the dead. (John 11: 42-43)
- Death is not the end for Christians-- we have eternal life in Christ-- those who know Christ never perish (v. 25)
- Any kind of death=Resurrection of life for Christian--- after grieving our hearts must be mended. When Christ mends our hearts we experience an abundance of Joy, Peace & Healing. Sometimes we have to be broken to be healed better than before.
I would like to offer a 4th reason:
4. The more earthly loss we experience the more of Christ we Gain. Christ clearly states that we must give it ALL for the Cross-- to follow Him. we usually never want to, but Christ is our Life-- He is eternity and losing any dream or possession or relationship or even a loved one is a cost worth it in the end. an increase of faith and the gain of ETERNAL LIFE & Christ Jesus!
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life[f] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? (Matthew 6)
Paul refers to anything that isn't Christ almost rubbish!
"But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ" – Philippians 3:7-8
I do not intend to belittle any loss that you have experienced or that anyone has. I am only trying to (through Scripture) shred light on the necessity of loss at times and the blessings it can bring.
In my 21 years of life I have experienced some loss. I've lost 2 grandparents to heart disease, many friendships, relationships, and dreams-- even pieces of myself. All parts of growing-up and know many more losses lie ahead. One of the most deep and devastating losses to me thus far was very much a "relative loss"-- a loss that in fact occurred but was very subjective-- the termination of a romantic relationship with my high school boyfriend of almost 6 years. When he deployed to Iraq and then again to the Pacific, I felt great loss each time. As if a part of me had died. Although he physically lived, many parts of who he was died. War changed him. The Marines changed him. Life changed him. I struggled to keep who I knew "alive," but in fact that person I had loved had died. He had changed, and so had I. What I experienced was very similar to that of a grieving person. I grieved the loss of our relationship-- clinging onto the past and to the pieces that remained. I missed him so deeply-- and worst of all I missed him when he was physically back. I missed him when he was right in front of me. I felt I had lost him.I wept, I cried, I was angry, resentful/bitter... at times even in denial. I questioned God-- doubted war/death/life. All things beyond my humanly capabilities and comprehension. I clung to the past. I mourned.
In my 21 years of life I have experienced some loss. I've lost 2 grandparents to heart disease, many friendships, relationships, and dreams-- even pieces of myself. All parts of growing-up and know many more losses lie ahead. One of the most deep and devastating losses to me thus far was very much a "relative loss"-- a loss that in fact occurred but was very subjective-- the termination of a romantic relationship with my high school boyfriend of almost 6 years. When he deployed to Iraq and then again to the Pacific, I felt great loss each time. As if a part of me had died. Although he physically lived, many parts of who he was died. War changed him. The Marines changed him. Life changed him. I struggled to keep who I knew "alive," but in fact that person I had loved had died. He had changed, and so had I. What I experienced was very similar to that of a grieving person. I grieved the loss of our relationship-- clinging onto the past and to the pieces that remained. I missed him so deeply-- and worst of all I missed him when he was physically back. I missed him when he was right in front of me. I felt I had lost him.I wept, I cried, I was angry, resentful/bitter... at times even in denial. I questioned God-- doubted war/death/life. All things beyond my humanly capabilities and comprehension. I clung to the past. I mourned.
I did in fact lose the old him., but I thank God that Nicholas is still in my life today. He is my best friend and God has used that loss and those experiences to make both he and I into better people. Without those events, I don't think either he nor I would really be following Christ. That relationship was meant to end. God willed it. We both suffered deeply for the loss, but there is hope in the future and healing in the present. I still hurt from that loss, but God has taught me so much about love and life and truth through the pain of wartime deployment. God kept that relationship from being an idol in my life-- which in fact it was, and has wonderfully blessed Nicholas and I with a new and restored relationship.. a relationship that seeks to Glorify Him in everyway. As of now we remain best friends, but the Lord is doing great things. He has a perfect plan and I truly believe that through this loss and past losses, I have gained far more. I have gained more Christ. I have gained more life. The One and Only thing I truly need.
What are you willing to lose for Christ's sake?
Matthew 10:37-39
“Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 Whoever does not take up their crossand follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. "-JESUS
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