Liz’s Morning Devotional based upon Upper Room
July 16, 2021
Read Luke 15:3-7
3 Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose someone among you had one hundred sheep and lost one of them. Wouldn’t he leave the other ninety-nine in the pasture and search for the lost one until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he is thrilled and places it on his shoulders. 6 When he arrives home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Celebrate with me because I’ve found my lost sheep.’ 7 In the same way, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who changes both heart and life than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to change their hearts and lives.
Good Morning! I was lost, but now I’m found!
For me, losing or misplacing things is a part of everyday life. It is especially challenging when I place something important in a special place and then I don’t remember where that place is. Some might say that’s old age kicking in, but it’s been going on for too long to blame it solely on that. I will begrudgingly admit that as I age this task might be becoming more difficult. A few months ago, I began planning my move especially in regards to packing. In the beginning, I was so diligent with only putting things in containers that “belonged” together and carefully labeling that container. I was also doing a great job of “pruning” my belongings.
As moving day inched closer, I was sometimes less careful about the content of the boxes, but most were still labeled. Then we moved everything that was packed and all the furniture. Sadly, there were many things left to be packed and pruned. At this point, the priority shifted to just getting everything in a container and loaded into the truck. The most challenging part of this is that some of those things were things of minimal importance, but others were still unpacked because I needed access to them until the last day. In the moving process (which I have experienced way too many times) things are lost. Mostly unimportant things, but sometimes precious things.
As I have spent time unpacking and looking for lost things, I can better relate to today’s passage. Even though ninety-nine things are where they belong, I work incessantly to find the one missing object. Now I am not saying that the value of things can pretend to equal the value of God’s children, but I am merely sharing an example to which many of us can relate. I seem to remember another parable about the lost coin.
Jesus, the good shepherd, will continue looking for the lost sheep, each of us until we are found and gathered back in the fold. No matter how far we wander, Jesus will not give up on us. When we are found, there will be great rejoicing for once we were lost, but now we are found. This idea is repeated time and again in the teachings of Jesus. Sometimes those who never seem to get lost are bothered by this idea. They ask, “why are we celebrating for the one who lost his way? Shouldn’t we be celebrating the ones who stay on the path?” Those who stay on the path receive their blessings every moment of every day, but the final rejoicing can’t begin until all have been gathered in to feast at God’s heavenly banquet.
Loving God, Thank You for loving us. You love us and seek us every day, even when we wander far from You. Thank you for never giving up on us when we are distracted and wander into the evil that surrounds us. Jesus, the good shepherd, is always there to help us find our way. Remind us to never stop asking for your guidance. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: No matter how lost I feel, God will always find me.
Rejoice! You are found! Pastor Liz
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