Looking For Lost Stuff

This week we finally moved to our new home in Eatontown, NJ. Tuesday the movers came and packed up the truck. Wednesday they delivered it.  And, the fun of unpacking has begun!  Although we did our best to accurately mark the boxes and pack up in as organized a fashion as possible, each time we now need something, a new search begins.  Even things we have unpacked and have already made use of are easily misplaced in the midst of shifting boxes, furniture that is being arranged and rearrange, and just the overall commotion of trying to set up a home. 

Yesterday something as simple as walking the dog became a challenge. First I needed to find a plastic bag to take along the way (to pick up after her). That took about ten minutes of going from room to room wondering where the bags may have been stored.  Then, I needed to find the leash. Although I had used it the night before, somehow it got moved out of my line of sight.  Finally, I needed to find a jacket. Well, it took me about twenty minutes to get out of the house just to walk the dog!  It became quite a game of hide-and-seek, but eventually I made it out of the house with Mabel.

Jesus told three parables about people who had lost something they eventually found. (You can find these parables recorded in Luke 15.)  He described a shepherd losing and finding a lost sheep; a woman losing and finding a lost coin; and a father losing and finding his lost son.  Each time that which was lost is found, there is a celebration.

Jesus’ point is found in Luke 15:10, in which Jesus says, “…I tell you there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” In other words, when one lost person is found and brought into the Kingdom of God, heaven begins to celebrate!  That means the day you and I came to faith and into the Kingdom of God, there was a celebration on our behalf.  And, heaven is yet waiting to host another celebration on behalf of someone else, even today.  I wonder for whom that celebration will be?  For how many it will be? Maybe it will be for that man or woman, teen or child to whom we have been praying and sharing our faith. 

I want to encourage you today to join God on his search for those who are lost. And, let’s not fail to celebrate when the lost are found! Heaven is waiting to host another celebration. 

Have a great day!

Pastor Tim Harris