Lost But Not Forsaken Lost But Not Forsaken The Life
March 4th, 2016 / Caran Jantzen
"'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?'" Luke 15:4
I have about 100 chickens on our hobby farm. They are in a large, fenced pasture and they enjoy roaming around in search of weeds and bugs.
Almost daily, one or two scratch along the fence until they have made a little hollow, and are able to squeeze under to explore the fresh grass on the other side. We have had to come up with some creative ways to get them back.
People aren’t so different. We peck at new ideas, and scratch around looking for ways to keep busy and active. As Christians, we sometimes push up against the fence of God’s guidelines, testing its strength, its value.
We may even start digging along this fence, looking for ways to escape God’s direction or discipline in favor of greener pastures.
For one, this may mean visiting the pub more regularly to help cope with stress. For another, it may mean telling your spouse you have to work late in order to socialize with a colleague of the opposite sex.
This is where the good news of Jesus comes in. He won’t leave us where we are. He follows us under the fence and into the pub. He isn’t afraid to visit the darkest places of society, or our hearts.
Deuteronomy 31:6 says, “He (God) will not leave you or forsake you.” Just as a shepherd goes after his lost sheep, the Lord will continue to pursue us because He loves us.
Lord, thank You for loving me so much that You would come after me to draw me back to Yourself. Help me to trust that Your plans for my life are good, and protect my heart from desiring the things of this world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Have you wandered away physically, spiritually, or emotionally from God or His people? Confess the sin of turning away from Him and let Him lead you back to Himself and His Church.
Tags: questions Jesus asked Luke 15 struggle