Lost & Found

I’ve not been very successful finding things I’ve misplaced in a public place. I’ve lost mostly umbrellas and maybe a few jackets or coats. When I go the “Lost & Found” they are not there. I do like finding things that I’ve lost. I get frustrated with myself that I’ve misplaced something or hid it from myself.

Jesus tells a shepherd story about lost and found. I am sometimes struck by the conclusion or application of this story. Check this out…

¹² “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? ¹³ And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn’t wander away! ¹⁴ In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish. (Matthew 18:12-14 NLT)

Most of His sheep stayed in bounds (99% to be exact), while one wandered away and was lost. He rejoices more over the lost sheep that was found than the 99 who stayed put.

I am reminded that the Lord cares deeply about lost people.

The church exists to reach lost people for Jesus. The church also encourages and teaches the “found” people.

I’ve grown up in churches who care more about the 99% who are present than the lost because the 99% pays the bills.

I remember hearing an analogy from Max Lucado years ago that reminded the church that their calling is fishing for lost people. He made a statement that “when the church doesn’t fish, they fight”.  It hurts my heart when the church fights among itself or gets sideways with another body of believers.  The church should be careful to stay on mission – seeking lost people while teaching, encouraging, and loving the found people.

Pressing On!

Dwayne