lost seeking found ...

Where I live on the East Coast of the United States, we have spent much of the week preparing for a massive hurricane. As a result, countless prayers have been voiced that are looking for God’s hand to move, for Him to speak into the situation. 

There have been so many hearts – lost in a sea of worry – seeking to find comfort and protection in the One who the winds and waves obey. They are seeking to connect – perhaps the first time in a long time – in relationship with God of heaven.

In my book ‘When Storms Rage’, I address twenty-one principles to keep you anchored through life’s toughest moments. In principle four ‘Talk to Jesus’, we discuss the all-important need of maintaining regular/daily communication with Jesus – understanding that if solid relationships are part of the framework of a happy and healthy life, then communication is one of the glues that helps hold things together. Without regular and effective communication, there can be great losses experienced in the way of time, energy and resources.

If one is searching for a perfect example, they need look no further than the account in the book of Luke to find the fascinating account of an instance where Mary and Joseph lost Jesus.

“But supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances.” Luke 2:44

Now, we all know that Mary was something special to be chosen to assume the role of mother to Jesus on earth. However, Joseph had to be quite an individual himself for the LORD to entrust the raising of His only Son into the care of Joseph. Therefore, it becomes quite puzzling how two individuals – hand selected by the Creator of the Universe – came to lose Jesus in such a way that they had to backtrack several days in order to find Him.

One can only imagine the whispers among the crowd …

• Aren’t those the same two with the ‘creative conception story’?
• How does someone lose their own child?
• I heard they haven’t talked to Him since the journey began. He's only twelve ... what were they thinking?

It had to be very difficult for Mary and Joseph … to even ask that first person, “Have you seen Jesus?” Surely they struggled with the embarrassment of having become so preoccupied with life that they had not realized that they had not spoken to Him in a full day. They were likely guilt-ridden, wondering ‘What must God be thinking of us?’ Yet – they did not allow any of those thoughts to stop them from turning back to seek out the most precious of all relationships – not between parent and child but between Savior and sinner.

We will never know how their friends and relatives actually responded. However, we can hope that they would celebrate the repentant turn to go back and capture what was lost rather than to ostracize them for having lost focus in the first place.

Know that nothing has changed in thousands of years –

Today, if you have lost your way and find yourself turning back and crying out in a moment of desperation –

 Do not fear and do not be ashamed. He loves you and ALWAYS stands ready to welcome you with open arms.

Today, if you are one of the fortunate and disciplined who have not lost your way and stand as a witness to one who has had to make that most difficult step back –

Be compassionate!

After traveling a full day back to Jerusalem, searching a total of three days back … I cannot imagine the sense of joy that overtook Mary and Joseph when – after many failed attempts – they at last they cried out, ‘Jesus! Jesus!’ and they heard His voice respond, ‘I AM here’.

Is there anything sweeter than one who cries out to the LORD and KING – no matter how long or how far they have gone – and they receive the response they were seeking?

I cannot not think of anything more precious …

Whatever has been lost – may we never stop seeking until it is found.

And may we never become so saved – that we forget what it was like to be lost.

Have a Blessed Evening!