24th February 2024
Lost and found
As I packed for a trip, I discovered a favourite sweater missing from my closet. I realised I had left it in a hotel room on a past trip. I don’t like to lose things. Losing something is frustrating; being robbed is even worse. These situations cause feelings of helplessness and being out of control. There’s usually nothing we can do but accept it and move on.
Loss is a part of life we’d rather do without, but we all experience it. Dealing with and accepting loss is a lesson we learn early and often. Even with age and experience and the knowledge that things are easily replaced, it’s still frustrating. Some losses, like losing a sweater or keys, are easier to accept than big ones like the loss of physical abilities or those we love. And then we ultimately have to face the loss of our own lives.
How do we keep the right perspective? Jesus did warn us not to put our hearts and hopes in treasures that can be lost or stolen. Our lives are not made up of what we own. Our worth is not measured by the numbers in our accounts, and happiness is not achieved in the accumulation of goods. The more painful losses aren’t so easily explained or philosophised away. Ageing bodies, diminished abilities and senses, deaths of friends and family – how do we cope with these?
Our lives are a mere breath or vapour. We are like flowers that bloom in the morning and fade by evening. No, that’s not encouraging, but the words of Jesus are: he is the resurrection and the life. Through his life, all will be restored, renewed and redeemed. In the words of an old gospel song, ‘Because he lives, I can face tomorrow.’
Because he lives, the losses of today will disappear into insignificance in the light of the glorious redemption of every single atom, moment, human, animal, theft, and fire. Every tear, scream, nightmare, fear, and heartbreak will be wiped away and replaced by joy in the life and love of the Father.
Our hope is in Jesus – In his cleansing blood, resurrection life, and all-encompassing love. In a sense, he lost his life for us, and he told us if we lose our lives, we will find them again, in him. On this side of heaven, it might seem all is lost, but in Jesus, all is found. And when that happy day comes, nothing will ever be lost again.
Study by Tammy Tkach
First published on 30 January 2024, at www.gemsofgodsgrace.wordpress.com
About the writer:
Tammy Tkach is the Assistant Pastor of the Eugene, Oregon, USA, Grace Communion International congregation. She is a speaker and writer, and publishes a blog at www.gemsofgodsgrace.wordpress.com
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