Living with Loss
Disappointment, decay, disillusionment, and destruction batter our lives. Disappointment might be the easiest to normalize–you win some and lose some. Decay shows up in our bodies and relationships, sometimes creating temporary difficulty and other times profound loss. We are constantly disillusioned to believe that some success or financial gain will bring the joy we are craving. A whole life seems just out of reach. Finally, a quick survey of the news reminds us, if we haven’t experienced them personally, that there are evil forces in the world that destroy life. Each of these forms of brokenness rumbles around in our lives and leaves us with experiences of loss and pain.
Life requires us to live with loss. But how can we succeed at this? Three elements help us live with loss: hope, identity, and meaning. The book of Revelation offers us each of these through a story of redemption.
HOPE
“Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Messiah…” Rev. 12:10
Revelation depicts the cosmic battle in which evil incarnate is defeated in the heavenly realms through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. This robust hope tells us that evil will not win the day, and God has restored humanity by being the faithful human even unto death. Good wins the day, not evil.
The vital action for us is connecting to this hope. The how of this is about small daily actions. I’ve recently had to change some of my “eat whatever I want and just watch others perform physical activity” habits. It turns out that it’s not that complicated. Eating healthy and increasing my activity yields results. This pattern is true for connecting to the hope of Christ. It requires us to pray, have conversations, gather for worship, and serve others. When we do these things, we will experience hope.
IDENTITY
Loss creates uncertainty, causing us to wonder who we are, what’s next, and if we should have done something differently. The Revelation story transforms our identity from powerless to powerful. Revelation tells us that we are to be the people who endure brokenness because when we do, we participate in defeating evil (Rev. 12:11).
Our identity in Christ is the one thing that defines our identity in all things. Now, in our families, workplaces, and communities, we live as people pointing to the reality of Christ. As we reflect grace to the world, we are being who we are, even in loss.
MEANING
Rejoice then, you heavens and those who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you with great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!” Rev. 12:12
John’s vision tells us that evil on earth is the flailing finish for evil in the cosmos. This idea is like the fourth quarter of the Warriors and Celtics from Sunday night. The Warriors had built a thirty-point lead, and each team removed their starters. The outcome was decided, but the game continued. Evil has been defeated, we are now in the fourth quarter, and our endurance against brokenness gives meaning to our lives. We live as signs that point to the destination of the world restored.
