Focus

As you quiet yourself for this brief time, be willing to be open to God in whatever way that may take place.

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Read

Luke 15:1-7 (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.

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Reflect

This is a parable I have heard and read and talked about since I was a young girl. On the surface, it can be a story about a lost sheep we use to teach children about the resilience of God’s love, but it is so much more than that.

It is a powerful message that we often forget. It is a reminder than we can be as good and “righteous” as we please, and we can do everything we believe we are “supposed” to do, but we will never be able to earn more of God’s love than we already have. God already loves us as parents love their children.

It is also a reminder that we are called to encourage others to accept God, and help them on their journey. Not one of us is perfect. We all sin, we all wander, and sometimes we get lost, but God will look for us and bring us back.

No matter what we are going through, or how far away from God we feel, we know that we won’t be lost forever. God is so good and never lets us forget that God’s plans are greater than our own.

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Pray

Dear God, thank you so much for actively seeking out your lost sheep. We do not deserve your unconditional love and forgiveness, but you are always there with open arms waiting for us to return. Thank you for showing us your plans, even when we try and make our own. Thank you for never giving up on us, even when we give up on ourselves. Please help anyone who is feeling lost to find you and the love they are missing. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Go with God.