I AM A LOST SHEEP

 

The Relentless SearcherI am still thinking about Sunday's worship service. I loved it and I really love the story of the LOST SHEEP. WHY? Because that is me. I pursued THE WORLD for most of my life. Understand what that means. I did not pursue DRUGS, I never had that desire. I dabbled in alcohol in my early years, but grew out of that. I never have had affairs and unfaithfulness. But my WANDERING was pursuing WORK, MATERIAL THINGS, and MISPLACED PRIORITIES. I missed so much trying to pursue MY LIFE, MY PLANS, MY GOALS. I was so easily distracted by the world but it wasn't for EVIL THINGS, Yet, those things I pursued, were EVIL because they kept me from FULL DEVOTION to the Lord. I wish I could go back and change that. I was definitely one of the LOST SHEEP. Sheep are not the brightest animals. They have poor eyesight, terrible direction sense, and an amazing ability to get distracted by the next patch of grass. When they wander off, they rarely find their way back on their own. They need someone to come looking for them. Sound familiar? 

I am a lot like sheep. I get distracted by life's pleasures, pressures, and problems. I wandered away from God, thinking I knew a better path. Before I knew it, I was lost, confused, and unable to find my way back home. But here's the incredible news: we all have a Good Shepherd who never stops searching. While we're stumbling around in the darkness, He's out there calling our name. While we're stuck in places we never intended to go, He's making His way toward us. While we're convinced we're too far gone, He's proving that no distance is too great for His love. The shepherd in Jesus' parable doesn't send someone else to look for the lost sheep. He doesn't wait for the sheep to find its own way back. He personally goes into the wilderness, searches every ravine, looks behind every rock, and doesn't stop until he finds what he's looking for. This is your God. This is how much He loves you. Even when you feel like you've wandered too far, made too many mistakes, or been lost too long, He's still searching. He's still calling. He's still coming after you with relentless, unstoppable love.

'I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.' - John 10:11

In what areas of your life do you feel like you've wandered too far from God, and how does knowing He's actively searching for you in those very places bring you hope?

 God wants us to be a church that relentlessly seeks the lost.

Good Shepherd, thank You for never giving up on me. Even when I wander away, You come looking for me. Help me to hear Your voice calling me back home and to trust in Your relentless love. Amen.