Photo via Laura Johns @ Flickr
I like to think that I am a gal that has it pretty together. Ish.
I keep my task list nearby. I make a menu each week to keep things organized (and to make grocery shopping a less-harried experience.) I try to stick to a cleaning schedule to keep our house kind of sort of minimally maintained on weekly basis.
If something is lost, usually I know just where to look. Which is really good news, because finding lost items is not my Beloved husband’s forte. (He is usually the one losing stuff… “Hey lover, have you seen my wallet/phone/keys/etc?)
But sometimes, something in our house gets really lost. It is so gone that even after I go on a frantic search, I come up empty-handed. This is become a more frequent occurrence now that our daughter seems to have gotten inches taller overnight and she can reach stuff on the kitchen table.
When I am unable to find something that is lost (recently: Bible study book, iPod, important document) it stresses me out.
It really makes sense when we think about it. After all, something of value or that has importance has been lost and we need it found.
Right. Now.
This idea brings us to another week as we walk through the Parables. Today is all about the Lost being found, specifically the “items” discussed in Luke 15.
The entire chapter of Luke 15 is completely dedicated to lost things that were found: A sheep, a coin and a son.
Each time, the “owner” of the item was very distraught over what had been lost. Everything else fell by the wayside as they prayed and searched and hoped that their lost thing would be found again.
And wouldn’t you know it… The shepherd finds his one lost sheep (out of the herd of 100) and the woman finds her lost coin (out of 10 coins) and the prodigal son returns homes.
Everyone lives happily ever after. The end.
Not quite. As we have mentioned before, the reason for Jesus speaking to followers in parables was to teach a lesson or “paint a picture” for those who truly believed in Him. With Jesus, there is always a moral to the story.
This one’s moral is really, really good news for us.
Each of these stories draws for us an illustration of what God feels like for us.
We are valuable to Him. He loves us dearly. He will do everything He can to bring us back to Him and we can be reunited with our First Love through the blood of Jesus Christ.
Just as it is in the parable, God is distraught when one of His children (see also: You, me and everybody in the world) is lost and doesn’t know Him. Oh but friend, when we are finally “found” in Christ– a joyous celebration ensues!
The message behind today’s parable is two-fold: First, we are beloved, valued and incredibly important to God. He delights when we come back to Him, found once again in His family.
Secondly, we are called to help advance the Kingdom by aiding in the “search” for those who might currently be lost. You never know when God will use your gifts, talents, or circumstances to speak to another person about salvation found in Christ.
Think for a moment: How does it make you feel when you think about all of heaven rejoicing when you were “found?” In what ways can you help others to make that transition from lost to found? I always welcome feedback… Leave a comment here.
I pray that this post not only encourages you but motivates you. Ask God for the insight to really understand just a sliver of His joy that He experienced when He “found” you. Or if you haven’t yet been “found” by God, seek Him with your whole heart and just watch what happens.
Let’s rejoice and share the good news, my friends– for we were once lost but now we are found!
Found in Christ,
“For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.” ~Luke 15:24 NIV
Linking up today with Kelli via Unforced Rhythms, Laura at Playdates with God, and Joan’s Beauty in His Grip. Oh! And be sure to join our #EverydayJesus link-up community right here at 7 Days Time every Thursday!
