Everyday Christianity: Testing (6)
Be diligent to come to me quickly; for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. 2 Timothy 4.9
Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God. Acts 15.39, 40
And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. Acts 16.23
Paul’s losses
We don’t think much about Paul’s sufferings and the loss of companionship, bodily health, freedom, security, and focus those must have entailed, if only for a while. What was it like to suddenly lose the companionship of his advocate, mentor, colleague, and friend? What physical pain and measure of discouragement must have overwhelmed him to have been beaten and thrown into prison? How must he have struggled against a sense of defeat when he was taken prisoner and sent to a Roman jail in Caesarea?
Loss comes in various ways, and Paul knew many of them—including, ultimately, the loss of his own life by a Roman sword. In that word to Timothy, is there just the slightest hint of loneliness? Dejection? Discouragement? “Be diligent to come to me quickly…” As soon as you can, Timothy, because he was alone, forsaken by a disciple, colleague, and companion. He needed Timothy to come to him, and to come to him quickly.
But Paul never gave in to the sorrowing affections accompanying loss that can be so strong as to confuse and paralyze us. He knew how to sorrow, even at the loss of a loved one, but he did not grieve like those who have no hope (1 Thess. 4.13). “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus” (v. 14).
As surely as Paul suffered a variety of losses in his day, we may expect the same in ours. Perhaps even today—loss of a friend or loved one, a colleague moving on, loss of a job or position, of a rebellious child, or health, home, and happiness. In this world we expect many such tribulations. But we need not be overwhelmed by them. Paul shows us how to deal with loss so that every loss becomes an opportunity for greater growth and service in the Lord.
Look up
Let’s look first at the orientation and disposition of Paul’s heart, which is the seat of all our affections. Where was he focused? What provided the stability and hope that allows one to endure loss and to sorrow with joy?
Paul’s testing in Philippi shows us. Seized, beaten, dragged into prison, and locked into stocks—how might we have felt? What waves of sorrow or fear would have threatened to drown us in our own tears? Paul knew this, I have no doubt. And yet he stood against that devilish flood and found joy and contentment to succor his loss. And he found this in singing psalms (Acts 16.25).
Singing psalms is probably, for most of us, not high on the list of remediating disciplines or measures. But consider the benefits, especially when one has received a gut blow through loss. By singing the psalms we enter the very Word of God. Our mind is locked with His as His Word flows soothing and renewing affections to our soul. Our body is engaged as we sing and look up to the Lord of heaven, longing to see His face. And if, like Paul, we can sing with another, that companionship multiplies all the positive affections that touch the joy of the Lord.
When loss comes, look up, see Jesus, sing to Him from His own Word, and enlist others to join you. You might even feel the earth move under your feet.
Look around
When, like Paul, you lose a friend or co-worker—whether by death, transfer, change of job, or move—don’t throw in the towel and assume your life or project has been derailed. Pick up the lost friend’s mantel and either, like Elisha, wear it yourself or, like Paul, find other companions with whom to continue the work of the Lord (Acts 15.40).
Others were ready to serve in Barnabas’ stead because Paul was always making and discipling new friends. Paul’s approach to following Jesus in His ongoing work was magnetic. Silas. Timothy. Clement. Titus. Philemon. Tertius. Gaius. Sosthenes. That whole company of co-workers greeted in Romans 16. Paul called and drew them all. He practiced what has become the advice of J. I. Packer for those in the third-third of life: There is always something new to learn and always someone new to lead (Finishing Our Course with Joy).
Even in the loss of a spouse there will be friends and family to care, comfort, and encourage us. They can help us strengthen fellowship with Jesus. We must allow them to do so as part of their ongoing work for the Lord, and let their companionship prepare us to be a companion to others.
Make disciples. Encourage co-workers. Love your neighbors. Keep looking up. Look around. The Lord will always provide us with people to step in the gap when loss of a loved one, friend, or co-worker occurs.
Look ahead
Finally, in all your loss, even of a loved one and even any losses you may experience today, keep looking ahead to the coming of our Lord (1 Thess. 4.15-18). Jesus is bringing a day of no more losses, only continuous victory and rejoicing. And He could come at any moment. So let us not be found crestfallen, heartbroken, full of doubt, discouragement, and despair when the Savior bursts through the sky, summons us to His side, and shows us our place at His eternal table of bounty and rejoicing.
Look always to Jesus—up, around, and ahead. He is with us in all our loss, to comfort, encourage, and strengthen us to continue living and working for Him.
For reflection
1. What has been your approach to dealing with loss? Can you see any way to improve this?
2. Looking to the day ahead, where is there the potential for loss of any kind? How should you prepare for this?
3. Whom do you know who has recently suffered a loss? How can you be an encourager today?
Next steps—Preparation: Spend some time in prayer recalling any recent losses. Give thanks to the Lord for His Presence with you and His help in bringing you through your loss into His joy.
T. M. Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest: This week: Our Read Moore podcast features excerpts from the book, Patrick: A Devotional History. Our Crosfigell teaching letter is pursuing a series on the spiritual poetry of the Celtic Revival. The ReVision column continues our study of “Everyday Christianity”. Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
