Loss. According to one definition from Google: “the fact or process of losing something or someone; the state or feeling of grief when deprived of someone or something of value.”
I’ve had many people over the years ask how one gets over the loss of a loved one. My thoughts are we don’t get over a loss, but through it. You can’t blink and grief is “over”. We go through different stages of shock or denial; pain and loneliness; sometimes anger. We go through grief of missing someone and the life that could have been; the memories that could have been. But we continue onward in life, because we don’t have a choice.
There are a few rare exceptions. Of course, I’m referring to the resurrection of our blessed Redeemer!
A great many of us may have experienced the feelings, thoughts and emotions – our human soul life – that the disciples and followers of Jesus felt after His crucifixion. Sadness. Guilt. The ache and emptiness. Anger.
But after seeing an empty tomb and finally realizing the Savior lives, they experienced the joy and exaltation of His resurrection! Their feelings of loss were short lived.
Folks, unfortunately we don’t have the elation of visiting an empty tomb to find our loved one has had life restored on earth. I certainly don’t belittle the grief you or I experience because it’s real and it’s painful. But because of THIS resurrection, we have the opportunity to reunite with our loved ones one glorious day! As Casting Crowns sing in “Glorious Day”:
“Living He loved me, dying He saved me.
Buried He carried my sins far away.
Rising He justified freely forever
One day He's coming, oh, glorious day,
Oh, glorious day, Glorious day!”
Because of the death and resurrection of Jesus, we have hope; we can accept that we will see our loved ones again . . . . if, during their life, they made the commitment to Him and accepted Him as their Savior.
Can we turn down His invitation to join Him for eternity, or afford not to deliver His message to others? NO!
Philippians 1:21 “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
John 3:30-36 “He must increase, but I must decrease. The One Who comes from above is above all; the one who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things. The One Who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what He has seen and heard, yet no one accepts His testimony. Whoever has accepted His testimony has certified this, that God is true. He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for He gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in His hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but must endure God’s wrath.”
Time is progressing quickly. This is a decision no one can delay until tomorrow. There may not be one.
As Palm Sunday approaches and we begin the esteemed Holy Week, the last week of Christ’s life on earth before His crucifixion, remember the reason for the season; your life depends on it.
Prayerfully, your sister in Him,
Robin
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