All the tax collectors and sinners were approaching to listen to Him. And the Pharisees and scribes were complaining, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them!”

So He told them this parable: “What man among you, who has 100 sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the 99 in the open field and go after the lost one until he finds it? When he has found it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders, and coming home, he calls his friends and neighbors together,  saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my lost sheep!’ I tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous people who don’t need repentance.”  Luke 15:1-7 HCSB

Have you ever been lost? I mean totally turned around, lost with no idea where you were, how you got there, or how to get back to where you had started. I consider myself to be pretty good with directions.  In most cases when I am in a strange town, if I take a wrong exit I can generally at least get myself back to the interstate. Several years ago a dear friend and I made the four hour drive to Houston to attend a Lysa Terkeurst conference. If you have ever been lost in Houston, then you know what being lost truly means.  I had a friend that used to live in Baytown and I have actually spent more time in Houston than any other area away from home, but Houston is so big and so spread out that I found a number of places that I had never before seen. I was so turned around and wouldn’t you know, Siri was of no help. We could not get reception to use GPS. Being females we had no problem asking for directions, but when we told these people where we were trying to go, they had no idea where it was. That’s not good. We finally managed to drive our way out of there and find the hotel where we were staying.

Being lost is not a good feeling, we all like to know where we are and be familiar with our surroundings. We like to feel confident about where we are headed. When we are lost we don’t feel confident, we don’t have any idea where we are. So, no matter which direction we head in, it is impossible to be sure about where we are headed.

The hymn Amazing Grace was written in 1779 by John Newton an English poet and Anglican clergyman. According to Wikipedia, Newton wrote the song from his own personal experience. After service in the Royal Navy, he became involved in the Atlantic Slave Trade. In 1748 his ship was so badly battered during a storm, he called out to God for mercy. He was spiritually converted at this time, but continued in the slave trade for another six or seven years when he ended his seafaring and began studying Christian theology.

I’m sure you recall the lyrics of the song-Amazing Grace how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found, was blind, but now I see.

I look back to the time in my life when I was trying to be in the world and with God all at the same time.  I was lost as a baseball in high weeds as my pastor always says. But, oh how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed. When I submitted my life to Christ, and told Him that I loved Him and never wanted to stray from Him again. I told Him that I couldn’t do all this on my own and I needed his guidance, what a relief it was that came over me.

Being found was the best feeling ever. You see just like sheep, which are not intelligent animals, we stray away from our Lord and Savior. He isn’t the one that leaves, he’s right there. He never leaves us nor does he forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6) When we stay in his presence we have no reason to fear. But when we stray, we become lost. We get into things that we should not get into. We get into things that can get us in a great deal of trouble. We get into things that can bring chaos and turmoil into our lives.

Our scripture passage tells us that there is great rejoicing over one who is lost being found.  Well, let me tell you my friend, to this day, I rejoice over August 22, 2010.  That is the day that I was found. That is the day that I could clearly see the direction that my life should be headed in.  That is the day that I quit wandering around in endless circles.

If you are tired of being lost, know that your Savior is near. Call out to Him and He will be find you. He will welcome you with open arms. Live in the comfort and assurance that only a life lived with Jesus can give. Know where you are going. I know where I am going now and I know how to get there, won’t you join me?

Have a great day!