It's not always about learning

Met a good friend today who shared a moving personal story. I'm not going to tell you what he shared, but our discussion was about the losses in our lives and what we gain from them. Personally I tend to (or try to) believe pain and losses in our lives have a reason or purpose. We're supposed to learn something from them, that we can change our lives for the better.

Now I've learned alot from losses and pain in my life, especially where I have made mistakes or acted wrongly. But what about losses incured after doing what is right?? Standing for justice and justice is not served. And how can we really explain Job?

As I shared about my losses, I realised that some losses in my life were still unresolved. I could never find a logical reason, or couldn't figure out what I should learn from them. Pain that does not resolve sometimes seems cruel. Why would God allow it? Is there something I need to learn or do differently in my life?

My friend shared that in his experience of loss, there was nothing specific to learn. Nothing to change or do. In the midst of pain he just needed to be and allow God to fill that loss. Not sure if I fully comprehended what he was trying to express, but being and resting in God was all that was needed and fully sufficient to fill the deep void of loss.

After we parted company, I was reminded of a great old hymn "It is well with my soul" written by Horatio Spaffold. There's an incredible story of loss that brought him to write this hymn. He lost all his kids at sea. There was nothing for him to learn, no explaination. The only thing he could do is rest in God's love and grace and say "it is well with my soul". That was all he needed.

Of course there is great pain and grieving, but there is also peace and rest in God. When we try to resolve what is not meant to be resolved with our human logic, we loose that peace that defies understanding. We stir up doubt, and question why, and ask what should I learn from loss...

But I guess it's not always about learning, but resting and trusting in God regardless of life's turmoil and pain. Unresolved, yet in an unexplainable way resolved deep within our souls.

It's difficult to explain or grasp. To be at rest and content in Him in the midst of great losses...