Feb 26

Rev Gav

Feeling the pain of loss

A man in a hat with a backpack sitting on a bridge looking sown and sad with an urban evening street scene behind him.

Dear Friends

What can I say to those reeling from the tragic loss of someone they hold dear? Perhaps right now, I can say nothing. I can hold hands, hug, and cry. Yes, as Christians, we have a hope. We hope in Jesus. But what stops this hope being just empty words? Words will not dampen the pain, the hurt, the loss. There is no escaping the fact that he tragedy of death feels wrong in every respect. Life matters. Life is important. Love is important. Our relationships are important. The here and now matters. This is why it hurts so much when we lose someone – especially someone with so much life.

I do not know why there is so much pain in the world – but we feel the pain because we love. The story of Jesus is not the story of a God who is remote and removed. No, it is the story of a God who enters into our pain and who feels it deeply. It is the story of a God who loves and is described as being ‘love’. It is the story of a God who loves us so much that he would do anything to draw close to us. So where is God in all this? Right there. Right here. Standing with us in our pain and suffering. Yes, my words are empty, but all I can do is point to the one who fills our emptiness. I can give a little comfort, but I can point you to the one who is the Comforter.

From the book of Revelation…

“They are before the throne of God
and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne
will shelter them with his presence.
Never again will they hunger;
never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat down on them,
nor any scorching heat.
For the Lamb at the center of the throne
will be their shepherd;
he will lead them to springs of living water.
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

May God bless you this day. May he fill your emptiness, and may you know his comfort and his peace.

Amen.