Loss
Search me God; and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139: 23-24
We are far more educated in what we need to be thinking and doing than we actually pull off in our real-time, day to day choices. So the goal of every God’s man is to close that gap as best we can. Let’s talk about our choices in loss.
Loss for the sake of loss is stupidity, but suffering a loss, real or imagined for obedience to Christ is faith at its very best. The loss of money — relationship — a good feeling — a secret — a job opportunity — our image at church — friends — possessions — a dream — control over the outcome.
What does God like to see most in us when He speaks into our lives? Inner agreement matched by prompt obedience. If we’re known for anything, it should be for our willingness to respond to God’s direction in the face of great personal loss. It’s easy to obey in our pleasures, but it’s not so easy in our pains. The real measure of God’s men is our willingness to do what God tells us to do, even when it means losing.
Obedience in loss is the evidence that convinces the world that we are indeed grateful. What’s pathetic is a man who has been the recipient of His grace and mercy but doesn’t act like one. He’s the type of guy who doesn’t realize the price that was paid for his God-given life and is a candidate for God’s discipline. Like a little boy, his attention wanders from the Word, and he is led away by his feeling or false pride. Our God is a God of giving; He is the one that has supplied even the air we breathe. Are we the one leper who came back to thank Jesus? Obedience in pain is our thankfulness.
Father, you are an amazing God that is always with me in my loss.