Finding of the Lost:

I have anxiety and while I get anxiety attacks less and less, I still seem to struggle a bit with anxiety attacks every now and then.  I get really anxious when I can’t find my materials. This can be when I can’t find my phone, my car keys, my house keys, or my wallet.  It is incredibly stressful, and it is hard for me to not freak out over it.  Recently, I lost my wallet, and I was STRESSED OUT.  I was so upset, and I looked everywhere.  Eventually, I did find my wallet in the pocket of the pants I wore the day before.  I was so grateful and while on reflection, this had me thinking about the Lord when his children are lost.  

I wonder how the Lord feels when he can’t seem to find his children or when his children are lost from knowing him. Does He stress a bit over them as lost sheep as I stressed over my lost wallet? We do know that he has extreme joy when the lost are found. We can read that often in the parables that Jesus spoke to his disciples. There was the story of the lost coin and then the story of the lost sheep, to finally end with the story of the Lost or the Prodigal son. He told them that the women and the men who find their missing materials throw parties when the lost has been found. He described that this would be a similar experience for his Father in heaven. His Father in heaven celebrates with dancing and singing, filled with ultimate joy when every one of his children chooses to come back to knowing him.

The verse that is used to describe the Lord’s joy can be found in  Luke 15:6-7 gives this rejoice.“Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 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.”  Do I spend the time really rejoicing over those who are lost?  Granted, I am happy when I hear about others becoming Christians, but I know that it is not my main piece of joy.  I want to start being more joyful when I hear about those who have been found.  

When I did lose my wallet, I was very happy with how many of my friends were willing to help me in my search. I stopped at a candy store which was the last place I had gone to, and they were very willing to call other employees to see if it had been left there.  My roommate helped me look throughout our trailer, my other friend looked throughout our place of work, and my boss even checked her car which I had been in earlier.  I was so very grateful for my friends and loved ones who helped me find my lost wallet.  They also were very happy for me when I found it because they knew I was filled with immense relief.  

This also made me realize my role as a Jesus-follower, that I need to help Jesus find his loss.  I am expected to be just as helpful and just as courageous in finding the lost sheep.  I am the one who is supposed to help the loss to become found.   When we were lost, we were headed towards destruction and heartache, but God has given us all the chance to become found and continue with him forever in paradise. John 10:10 gives this message perfectly.  “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”  Jesus has given an opportunity for others to become Christians and to become a child of God.  The enemy or Satan creates heartache and destruction.  When we spend time looking for lost people and lost sheep, we are saving them from this hurt and destruction.  

My challenge for myself this week is to think of one person who I feel God is calling on my heart to spread God’s word. I would also like to challenge you this week in the same thing. I would highly recommend that you spend time praying over this person. In the end, we are the ones who plant the seed, and then God is the one who can actually call them home. Then think about ways that you can engage them in conversation. I would highly recommend getting to know them on a personal level before you engage them in conversation regarding the Lord, make sure they know that you care about them on a personal, deep level. Then engage their heart and help them see God as their eternal Savior.

I want to make it clear that anytime you are willing to talk about God and your relationship with Him, you are spreading His message.  If the person chooses to not accept Jesus as their Savior that particular time, that does not mean you have failed.  You have maybe opened a door for a later conversation or you have opened the door for another situation to come in that will bring this person home.  We are God’s helpers and finders of those in need.  As long as we continue to do that through our testimony, love, and prayers, then we will be doing God’s work.