The thing about losing…
I’ve always wondered how he did it. Robbed of his wealth, the tragic death of his family, his health shot, dignity gone, reputation wiped out, and then accused of sin by the incessant droning of a group of theological wannabes. But Job responded “God gives, God takes. God’s name be ever blessed.” (Job 1:21) A phenomenal response to catastrophic loss. Granted, he lamented, and even demanded an audience with God to plead his case. But his initial response to his world caving in was unbelievable.
Loss comes to us in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. Perhaps not the targeted, intense loss that Job experienced, but it touches us all in one way or another.
We may experience loss after giving it our best effort, and still come up short. With age comes inevitable loss, as capacity and strength diminish. It could be that someone else’s decision or action causes us to lose. Or, the consequences of our own less-than-wise choices produce loss. It can be short-lived, or seem interminable. Perhaps most challenging, loss may come through no action of our own or anyone else. Label it “inexplicable, out of the blue, not my fault.” Those are the losses that seem senseless, and challenge one’s perspective.
People lose jobs, spouses, unborn children, reputations, businesses, relationships, health, and __________ (go ahead, add to that list). In a culture where moving ahead, growth, and winning are idolized, loss can be a bit of a struggle, to say the least. We tend to admire those who grind it out and punch through loss, and pity those who wallow in it.
Life, however, produces loss. In the Bible, Israel lost their freedom in Egypt, later they lost an entire generation in the wilderness. Moses lost the chance to enter the promised land, Samson lost his strength, Ruth and Naomi lost their husbands, Saul lost his throne, David lost his sons… this list could go on for a long time. In 70 A.D., Israel lost their temple. Though we normally don’t dwell on it, I’ll bet you could come up with a list of your own losses, whatever category they fit into.
Here’s the thing about loss: For the believer, it is temporary. While the dull ache of loss may be felt keenly today, it will one day be completely erased. Eradicated. Gone.
Paul says it this way in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen (our current losses), but at the things which are not seen (one day, all loss erased). For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Job’s perspective allowed him to bless the name of the Lord. It is altogether possible for us to do the same, keeping our eyes on Jesus.
