Loss is a part of life. We lose material things - coins down the sofa, keys that you just know that you've seen somewhere, or a favourite item of clothing that is way beyond repairing. We lose physical things - our baby teeth, our appetite, our hair, our figures...! We lose abstract things - our confidence, our memory, our self worth, security, innocence, or trust. There are many other things that we can lose too - our jobs, sense of direction (both as in purpose, and geographical location), our hopes, dreams, income ... life is full of losing stuff.
Arguably the most difficult type of loss is that of someone you love. Death brings a whole lot of other losses with it - physical loss of a person's company, their love and sense of humour. Loss of memories that you didn't have a chance to make yet, loss of love, loss of a friendship; the list could go on.
But there is one thing in life that we simply cannot lose: God's love.
"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 8: 38-39
In Eternal Realities - Heaven and Hell - A 24 Day Devotional, Rick Warren puts it like this:
"When my kids were young, we took a trip to the Grand Canyon. We were going to hike several thousand feet down a trail there. The kids were scared, so they put their hands in my hand. More importantly, though, I put my hands on theirs. I didn't want them to fall. Halfway down, they may have gotten brave, squirmed, and tried to let go. But I wouldn't let go of them. And God won't let go of you, either."
The fear of loss can be incredibly overwhelming, and loss itself is something that we have to deal with from the second we arrive in this world until the second we depart from it.
Believe it or not, God knows what it feels like to suffer loss. We were lost before Jesus died so that we could be brought back to God.
As the well known hymn says:
"I was lost but Jesus found me, found the sheep that went astray.
Raised me up and gently led me, back into the narrow way.
Days of darkness still come over me, sorrow's path I often tread,
But His presence still is with me, by His hand I am safely led."
May the overwhelming fear of loss be outcast by the overwhelming love of God, as you rest in the knowledge that He tightly holds your hand and will never, ever let go.
Beth
LCC HQ
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