Focus

Slow your breathing and become aware of the taking in and letting out of your breath. Focus on putting things aside so you will be open to what God is saying to you today.

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Read

Luke 15:1-10 (NRSV)

Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

So he told them this parable: “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

“Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

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Reflect

I recall one church service during which my youngest son, who was preschool age, moved down the pew and sat beside my younger brother. At some point during the service, my son drew out a tic-tac-toe board on the bulletin, looked at my brother, and said, “I am X.” He then marked his X and my brother marked his O. Several moves into the tic-tac-toe game, my son looked up at my brother and said, “I am going to be O now.” He then marked an O and won the game. Trying to contain his laugher, my brother acknowledged my son’s victory.

When I reflect on this scripture, I can’t help but think about how God allows us to change our game and win the ultimate prize of eternal life. My son was playing the game his way until he realized that he was playing a losing game. Rather than accepting defeat, blaming others for his mistakes, or throwing a temper tantrum, he simply changed sides and found victory. Isn’t it a shame that we often lose the ability to look at things from a child’s perspective.

Too often we get caught up in our own game and what’s important to us rather than playing God’s game that leads us to salvation. It’s comforting to know that God not only watches us with grace, ready to allow us to change sides without penalty, but that God is actively searching for us, to bring us back into God’s care.

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Pray

Dear Lord, may we look to play your game today. When we stray from your path, help us to find ways to get back on track. Thank you for your grace and for watching over us as a shepherd, always pursuing us when we stray from your path. Amen.

Go with God.