Finding Our Way Home When Lost

“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? Luke 15:4 (NKJV)

Our little Shih Tzu dog has never been one to run away, but perhaps it was the lovely sunny day outside that tempted him to take his opportunity to head into the great outdoors when he found a door left open for few minutes. My wife and I were in a panic when we found our dog was missing. She ran frantically out back looking for him and I yelled his name at the top of my lungs. Finally the little fellow came running around the side of the house grinning from ear to ear. I was torn between wanting to swat him with a newspaper and hugging the brat.

God must have even stronger feelings when one of His children go off on their own, following their will and desire despite their Master’s wishes. What sorrow, concern, and frustration must pass through our Father’s heart when we go astray and are lost. Yet also what joy and happiness must the Father feel, what rejoicing when we hear His voice and turn from our way back onto the straight path to Him!

If we had even the slightest glimpse of the the Father’s heart, His love, His compassion, His desire for our well being and happiness, and how much we wound Him when we go astray, following our own willful course in life, we would never do it. If we truly knew His heart, we would never hurt Him or stubbornly resist His good will for us.

The fact is we all go astray at times, either through ignorance, foolishness, or stubbornness, we sometimes lose our way in life. The good news is that our heavenly Father is ever ready to receive us into His loving arms and welcome us back home.

Take time this week to consider the goodness of God, and how He has welcomed you home. And if you are one of those still gone astray, open your heart to the Father’s love, receive Jesus and find your way back into the Father’s loving arms.

Prayer: Father forgive our willfulness and stubbornness at choosing our own way instead of Your good way and the safe place You have for us. Guide us by Your Spirit and thank You for receiving us into Your loving arms. Amen.

Karlton Douglas

Copyright 2016