7 Reflections in a Time of Loss
DEEP THOUGHTS AT A RED LIGHT –
Lately, we’ve seen significant loss. And these memorable horrific moments of loss in my life continue to grow – the Guadalupe floods in the middle of the night on July 4th, 9/11, Katrina, the deaths, fire and damage in the summer of 2020, October 7th, and now the assassination of Charlie Kirk – These ‘defining moments’ should make ALL of us pause, think about life and the legacy we are LIVING!!
Yes in order to leave a legacy worth remembering, you must live it!! To live it before your life is lost, you must wake up each day with clarity of identity, purpose, and belonging.
As I reflected during these past few weeks on these colossal loss events from 9/11, Katrina, the summer of 2020, and the assassination of Charlie Kirk, here is what I concluded:
Tomorrow is NOT guaranteed
The amount of time in our physical body is microscopic compared to eternity. TIME is our most precious limited commodity. Our lives are vapor, here for a short time then gone.
James 4:14 says, “Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.“
Am I using my time left in the best possible way?
Violence is NOT the answer
There is a difference between righteous anger and unrighteous anger. Both ‘fight’ but one with reason and one with evil action. We must keep talking. It is okay we disagree. It is good to engage in civil debate.
Proverbs 29:11 indicates, “A fool loses his temper, but a wise man holds it back.”
Are we looking for common ground? Where am I engaging in meaningful conversations using reason and logic, love, and respect?
Pain has a purpose
Every difficulty yields good. Every problem makes us stronger. You will waste your ‘pain’ if you do not seek God in your suffering. You will waste your ‘pain’ if you treat sin as casually as before. You will waste your ‘pain’ if you grieve loss like those who have no hope.
Romans 5:3-5 reveals to us this purpose, “And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance proven character; and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.“
What can I learn from the most recent struggles in my life? How is my character continuing to be transformed and refined?
There is a right and wrong
We will struggle and may never agree on everything in the categories of right and wrong. Our culture has accepted two huge lies. The first is based on this disagreement. If we disagree with someone’s lifestyle, others see this as equal to fear or hatred of them. Taking a moral stand does NOT equal hatred, bigotry, nor phobia The second focuses on loving someone. Our culture suggests that to love someone means you agree with everything they believe in or do. Both of these are absolute nonsense. We do not have to compromise convictions and moral stances to be empathetic and compassionate.
Isaiah 5:20-21 informs us, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight!“
Where am I standing firm? Where can we find common ground? Let’s continue respectful debate based on reason and logic.
Reason do not indoctrinate
Our educational institutions, public schools, our politicians, our medical personnel, and even mental health professionals – yes, many entities we thought we could trust, openly indoctrinate with falsehood, lies, and evil ideologies. Gender Ideology being one of them. Giving out unnecessary psychotropic medication for normal struggles being another.
Proverbs 1:3-5 tells us, “To receive instruction in wise behavior, righteousness, justice, and equity, to give prudence to the naïve, to the youth knowledge and discretion, a wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel.”
Colossians 2:8 makes it clear where wisdom is found, “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.“
Where do I need to acquire learning? Who do I trust for knowledge? Would reason and respect describe my conversations?
Jesus is who He says He is
Jesus offers you a free gift of salvation. He extends this gift to you.
Romans 6:23 states, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.“
Acts 4:12 states, “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heave that has been given among men by which we must be saved.“
Ephesians 2:8-9 reveals, “For by grace you have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.“
Have you accepted His gift? He died, gave His life for you and rose again to offer you this gift.
This is a turning point in this country
When tragedy and loss strikes, it reveals who is weak and who is strong. Let this be a turning point for you to consider how you will live out the rest of your numbered days. Let this be a moment that propels you to LIVE differently and IMPACT those around you for good. Let loss be the time when you lean into faith in Jesus since you are here but for a moment, then eternity is where you reside forever.
My life verses in Philippians 1:21-26 say, “For to me, to live is Crist and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. Convinced of this, I know what I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in faith, so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.“
How will you respond? How will we respond as a nation? Will you keep being part of division or seek out those who differ and find common ground?
Lord, may we use loss for good and finally reach being one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.
Some of my deepest thoughts come to me whilst sitting at red lights. It happens to all of us, I just thought I’d write them down and share them with you! I’d love to hear your feedback on the thoughts that haunt my mind while waiting on “the other guy” to get off his cell phone and notice that the light is green!
