The Lost Paint Chips!

A few months ago a friend came over and helped Kim and me choose paint colors for the interior of our home.  After a few days of holding onto them we thought we better put them in a “safe place” until we were ready to paint. Well, now that I’m about to begin the project of painting our downstairs rooms, I needed the paint chips in order to get the right paints. When I went to look for them, however, they were nowhere to be found.  In fact, for two days Kim and I searched for them—with me insisting she had placed them in one place and she insisting they were somewhere else.  Quite embarrassed, I called our friend and told her we had lost the paint chips and had to go through the process of choosing the colors all over again. 

Later that day, however, I mentioned the paint chips to Kim again and described their size. Suddenly, a light bulb went off in Kim’s head! She knew exactly where they were!  The lost paint chips were found!  I quickly called our friend and told her the good news; we didn’t need to go through the process again.  We both breathed a sigh of relief. 

It's not easy choosing paint colors!

We all know what it’s like to lose things. And unfortunately, our lost things are not always found. Sometimes we give up too quickly. Sometimes we can’t be bothered to take the time or expend the energy.  But when our lost things are found, there’s that incredible feeling of relief—especially if it’s something like your keys or wallet or purse (or even paint chips!).  It’s a great feeling to have found what was lost.  

The Bible describes humanity as becoming lost.  The prophet Isaiah wrote, “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way….” (Isaiah 53:6 – NIV)  Due to our own sinfulness we have wandered away from our Good Shepherd and become lost. But Jesus, speaking of himself, said, “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”  (Luke 19:10 – NIV)  In other words, Jesus came looking for lost people like you and me!  Jesus came to find those who have become lost in order to bring them back into God’s Kingdom.  And when they are found, Jesus tells us all of heaven rejoices.  Maybe the angels even breathe a sigh of relief!

I’m reminded today that, with just with as much energy and effort that I put into looking for the things I lose—keys, a wallet, paint chips, etc.—and even more so, I am called to spend my life looking for the “lost” around me.  Every day you and I find ourselves in the midst of people for whom Jesus came—i.e. people who often don’t even realize that they are lost.  Is anyone searching for them?  Is anyone reaching out to them with the good news of the Gospel?  Will they be found?  Will they be given the opportunity to come back into God’s Kingdom? 

Let’s try living our lives today searching for someone who is lost, seeking out those for whom Jesus came.

“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound.  I once was lost, but now am found!” 

Have a great day!

Pastor Tim Harris