Listen

“Or what woman, if she owns ten silver coins and loses one of them, won’t light a lamp and sweep the house, searching her home carefully until she finds it? When she finds it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Celebrate with me because I’ve found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, joy breaks out in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who changes both heart and life.”

Luke 15:8-10

Think

I was in so much trouble. I was about nine years old and in elementary school. There were four of us who played together all of the time. We played football, basketball, board games, (no video games or cellphones back then), and capture the flag. Once when my buddy and I were trying to find the ultimate location for the flag, we went farther and farther away from the house until we got lost. We were eventually found, but my Mom was really upset when she saw me. We won the game, but I was grounded after that.

Too often, if we’ve strayed far away, we worry about God searching for us, because we fear what will happen when we’re found. In other words, we picture God having the same look as my Mom – anger and judgement. However, this parable and the one before it suggest that God will rejoice when we are found, like the woman with her lost coin. There will be a celebration where joy breaks out. Take heart!

Andy Hart

Pray

God, be with me when I am lost. Remind me not to fear, but to rejoice with you, especially when I am found. Amen.

Go

God is searching.

Be Found!

Be Transformed!