Luke 15:4 "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does
he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep
until he finds it?" NIV
I share my office at work with the ambulance crew. One day the crew's chief
misplaced a radio. She searched and searched but it was nowhere to be found. Yet
still she couldn't rest, even though there were other radios available. Why?
Because all the radios were valuable and the loss of even one was important.
Finally she drove out to the landfill and began to root through the garbage, a
most unsavoury task, but lo and behold that which was lost was finally found.
And upon its' discovery she pulled it from the trash, clipped it to her belt and
returning to town joyfully shared the good news.
People are valuable too. Not just some people but all people.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever
believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
In sending His one and only Son to earth to die for all mankind, God spared no
expense or effort when it came to seeking the lost. Thus as God's people,
neither should we. And yet how often do we, do I find myself not wanting to
associate with certain people: The unwashed, the unsavoury, the hurtful, the
ignorant, the liars and cheats, or just those who are simply different from me
or my little group. And yet Christ died for each and every one of these people,
including me for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
I was unwashed, unsavoury, hurtful, ignorant, a liar and a cheat and yet in all
encompassing love and compassion He sought me out until He found me.
Today each of us will meet, talk to, rub shoulders with or even just think of
those who may not yet be found. And as we do so may our hearts be open and
attentive to the leading of the Holy Spirit if He should prompt us to share the
good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ with them, just as it was once shared
with us.
Prayer: Father God may there be great rejoicing in heaven as you use your people
this day as holy instruments to share the life saving, life changing power of
the gospel that those who are lost may be found. In Christ's name we ask. Amen.
Lynne Phipps
Atlin, B.C.
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