The Wanderer

Then Jesus told them this parable: "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?  And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, '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." 
Luke 15:3-7

Do you ever doubt how much God looks for you?  If you've been reading this blog for very long, you know how much my heart longs for you to know just how much He loves you!  No matter how far away you might wander, no matter what rocks or hills He has to climb to find you, He'll do it - and rejoice when you come home with Him!

Have you been a wanderer in your life?  A lot of us have.  It's hard for some to feel settled, to feel at peace, to be willing to put down roots, whether it's physically, emotionally and spiritually.  Maybe you've roamed because you've been rebellious.  Perhaps you simply have no idea how to stay put.

This can really be a tough area to understand!  I'm not anxious to get into the emotional and psychological reasons for drifting in life.  I just want you to know that if you are a wanderer, God knows where you are.  He has always known, and He is waiting for you to be ready to let Him find you.

Let's look at the next section of this scripture passage:   "Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."   (verses 8-10)

There are three common themes here:  First, something important is lost.  Second, the lost is found.  And finally, there is rejoicing.  Do you understand that when YOU were saved, the angels rejoiced over you?  Isn't that amazing?

If you haven't been found, it's not too late!  God longs to fellowship with you.  He longs for you to be found.  Even though He has always known where you have been, the moment when you find Him - your "found" moment - is one He is waiting for!

And when you are found - oh!!  The celebration!  The great joy!  Imagine what heaven is like, each time a soul is saved.  I can't wait to see it!

Tomorrow we are going to look at the next section of this scripture, the story of the prodigal son.  See you tomorrow!