Are you feeling lost?
Rev. Charity Sandstrom
Friday, March 23, 2007
If you have been feeling lost or out of touch in your spiritual life, I have good news! God is looking for you. In the Gospel of Luke, chapter 15, Jesus tells three stories that show us how God looks for those who are lost and does not give up on them. Those stories are the Parable of the Lost Sheep, the Parable of the Lost Coin, and the Parable of the Lost Son.
The first story is about a Shepherd who leaves 99 sheep behind to go look for one sheep who wandered away. The second story is about a Woman who stops what she is doing to look for a misplaced coin. The final story is about a Loving Father who runs to meet his rebel son who has come home. In these stories, the lost item represents a person who is disconnected from God, and the person seeking the lost item represents God. All three stories tell of items lost: a sheep that was distracted by something beyond where the flock was grazing, a coin that was lost in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and a young son who defied tradition and his father to seek out something more exciting. Many people find themselves feeling distant from God, and don’t know how to find Him. Some, like the sheep, simply drifted away. They didn’t intend to become lost. Some, like the coin, find themselves lost in the busyness of life. Others, like the son, made a choice at some point to walk away. You may find yourself in one of those categories. If so, you can be sure today that God is looking for you.
Jesus says the Shepherd and the Woman both looked for their lost items until they found them, they didn’t give up. He says the Loving Father, when he saw his son coming at a great distance, ran out to meet him. You can be sure that God has not given up on you. In fact He has made a way for you to be found and reconnected to Him. Jesus says in Luke 19:10 that He came to seek and save the lost. It is through Jesus that our relationship with God is restored. Sometimes we are afraid that if we turn to God, He will scold us or punish us, but Jesus says this is not true. In all three of these parables, Jesus tells us that when the lost were found “no matter how they came to be lost in the first place” there was REJOICING!! The Shepherd, the Woman, and the Loving Father all throw parties, inviting friends and neighbors to celebrate the return of what was lost. Jesus says that in the same way there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God when a lost person turns to Him. So, how do you turn to Him? Simply come to Him in Prayer. Talk to God, it can be out loud, or silently in your heart. Tell God you realize that you are lost. Tell Him you want to be found. Ask God to find you and let you find Him. Finally, thank Him for not giving up on you. Thank Him for providing a way through Jesus for you to be reunited with Him. If you have questions, ask a pastor, most will be happy to talk with you.
Maybe you feel lost or disconnected from God. Know that when you turn to Him, He is there to welcome you with open arms and throw a party to celebrate! What are you waiting for? Turn to God, and let the angels party!