Lost and Found

We have been travelling around Tasmania in our caravan. Recently, on a cold and rainy day, we drove to visit a couple of indoor places. We had a lovely time at Ashgrove Cheese  www.ashgrovecheese.com.au learning about the cheesemaking process; watching the cheesemakers at work; and sampling some cheese.

Our next stop was Anvers Chocolate factory www.anvers-chocolate.com.au It was great to watch chocolatiers at work making Easter eggs; taste a sample; and buy some special chocolates.

Next, we drove into Devonport to see the Mercy Bluff Lighthouse.  Because the rain was heavier, we just had a quick look from the car, before deciding to drive back to the caravan.

Suddenly, I felt a twinge of pain in my wrist. This is not unusual, and is due to arthritis. I have seen a hand occupational therapist, who recommended special wrist bands (seen in the picture). I have been wearing them most days lately. I looked in the car console to get them. But they weren’t there. That’s OK. Maybe I put them in the back seat.  No, not there either. I searched in the morning tea bag. It was full of lots of other things, as I had packed raincoats, and hats and snacks into it this morning. I couldn’t see them, so I asked hubby to take another look, in case I was missing them.  No, he couldn’t find them either.

I usually remove the wrist bands when I wash my hands after using public toilets. So maybe I had left them at Ashgrove or Anvers. I retraced my steps in my mind, and with hubby. We decided to go back to each place on our way home. A lovely girl at Anvers looked in the lost property, and I left my number in case someone found them later. While I was in the chocolate shop, hubby phoned Ashgrove and asked them about them. They looked around, but no luck either.

By now, I was quite uptight. I couldn’t really enjoy the drive. I was preoccupied, thinking about where I might have left my wrist bands. I thought of how important they were to me, and how expensive they were.

When we arrived back at the van, I hurriedly removed my shoes and went inside. There were my wrist bands, on the bench where I had left them this morning. I hadn’t brought them after all. Relief! Thank the Lord!

Jesus told a story about this sort of thing:

Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he 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 neighbours 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 15:4-7 NIV

When I couldn’t find my wrist bands, I felt terrible. I could think of nothing else. I HAD to find them, and I was SO relieved when I did. The Bible says that God feels the same way about us!

Like my wrist bands, we are alone and lost without God.  Yet God continues to search for us.  Nothing will stop Him.

For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak.”

Ezekiel 34:11, 16a (NIV)

God says He wants to bind up your injuries, and strengthen you. You are so very precious to God! He searches for you, and rejoices with the angels when you repent (turn away from your sin and back to God).

If you were the ONE lost sheep, God would diligently search for you. When you repent, the heavens erupt in joy and thanksgiving.

Imagine that, all the angels, in the presence of God, in unimaginable glory, rejoicing over every single “lost sheep” that is found. The angels stop and rejoice when someone repents and places their trust in Jesus. Hallelujah!

Prayer

Dear God, Thank you that you keep searching for me when I am lost, or have wandered away from you.

Please forgive me for hiding myself from you. Forgive me for the many times when I focus on other things, and get too busy for you. Forgive me for looking in the wrong places for what I need, instead of to you. Forgive me for trying to run my own life without you.

I find it so hard to trust you, and I want to run my own life. Thank you for seeking me and bringing me back to you. Thank you that you don’t give up on me, even when I keep wandering or running away – over and over again.

I am amazed by you, that you and the angels rejoice in my salvation. Hallelujah!

Amen.

What About You?

Have you had a similar experience of lost and found?

What do you think about God searching for you, and the rejoicing in heaven when you repent?