"Remembering the Lost: Embracing the Call to Seek and Save"
[Luke 15:3-4, 7 NIV] 3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn't he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? ... 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
How dangerous has the world become when we have forgotten that we were once that lost one out of a hundred? Once we became one of the ninety-nine, we started to forget what God brought us through to get us to where we are now. I remember being so lost and confused that I didn't even realize I was lost, and that is a dangerous place to be. I was walking around unaware of how my actions were affecting those around me. Let's call it what it was: I was just plain selfish. I didn’t care; I just wanted my pain and hurt to stop, without considering how it impacted those close to me. It’s true what they say: hindsight is 20/20. My actions shaped the way my children saw the world. I can’t change the past, but I can change how I move forward, and that is why we must never forget what the Lord has brought us through. I am grateful that Jesus came and died for those like me.
As Paul writes in 1 Timothy 1:15-17 (NIV):
15 "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy, so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen."
We are called to never forget what He has done for us because if He did it for us, He can do it for someone else. It’s time to remember so we can see how imperative it is to stop turning a blind eye to those who are still lost. We may need to step out of our comfort zones to reach some; it may not always be pleasant or comfortable. We are called to go find His lost sheep just as He sent someone to find us.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for loving me enough to make a way for me to have communion with You. I am grateful for the person You used to guide me to you because I could not have done it on my own. You are gracious and merciful, enough to walk with us through our mistakes and valleys, knowing we are flawed individuals, and You love us anyway. I surrender all that I am to You and trust You to order my steps. There are people out there who need to know You and the love that only comes from You, so I ask You to use me to help them find You. Amen
