May 3, 2023
Finally Found
Sharon Jaynes
Today’s Truth
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10 NIV).
Friend to Friend
I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a little boy so excited! Steven was seven years old, and we were headed to Disney World! It was his first time on an airplane, his first time sleeping in a hotel, and his first time seeing Mickey Mouse in person. My video camera was fully charged and poised to capture those precious memories.
But when we go back and watch the old video, it doesn’t start out as I had planned. We’re in some type of welcoming center where children are running around climbing on various objects, crawling through tunnels, and swinging from monkey bars. As the “movie” comes into view, the first thing I see is my husband, Steve, running toward the camera, his face growing larger and larger until it fills the screen.
“Where’s Steven,” he cries. “I can’t find him anywhere! Where is he?”
Then the screen goes blank.
What a way to start our vacation! Steven had wandered away, climbed into one of those tunnels, and had yet to emerge. We panicked. Who wants to lose their kid at Disney World?
Of course, we found him. He had no idea he was even lost.
Ah, did that last sentence give you pause? He had no idea he was even lost…
When God created Adam and Eve, He placed them in a garden much more exciting than Disney World. In the Garden of Eden, all their needs were cared for and all their desires were fulfilled. But Satan came along and convinced Eve that God was holding out on her. That there was more to her perfect life in communion and union with God. If she would simply break one little rule, eat of the forbidden tree of the knowledge of good and evil, she could be like God—wouldn’t even need Him anymore.
Eve bought the lie and disobeyed. Then she gave it to her husband who was standing right beside her, and he ate it, too. We know the rest of the story. They were lost.
Suddenly the scene changes. Rather than harmony with God, nature, and each other, we see fear, shame, and doubt. So, they hid from God. God walks through the garden and doesn’t see his children. Then He asked the first question that is recorded in the Bible…Where are you?
Girlfriend, it was the first question in the Bible, but it runs like a scarlet thread all the way to the end of Revelation. Where are you?
Steven was lost and didn’t even know it…his daddy found him.
The Bible tells us, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost “(Luke 19:10 NIV). We were lost and didn’t even know it…our heavenly Father found us because He loves us.
So, that’s the question I want to leave with you today. Where are you? How’s your relationship with God? No matter what you’ve done, no matter how far you’ve strayed from His perfect plan for your life, He is always in pursuit of you.
All you have to do is come out from hiding and say…Here I am, Lord.
Let’s Pray
Dear Father, I am so thankful that You sought me—that You came looking for me. Sometimes I get the idea that I sought You—that I had something to do with my salvation. But You were pursuing me all along. All I did was answer Your call. Thank You for calling my name and saving me from my lostness. May I never stray far from Your presence again. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Have you ever lost one of your children? How did that make you feel?
Did the child know he or she was lost, or were they happily meandering along? How did you feel when you found him or her?
Now, how do you think God feels when we are united with Him?
More from the Girlfriends
What are the next steps once you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Sharon offers an easy-to-understand booklet with simple steps to grow in your relationship with God. This is a perfect gift for someone newly “found.” And that might be you! Click here for more info.
If you’re not sure if you are a Christian, click on the Seeking God link below to learn more.
© 2023 by Sharon Jaynes. All rights reserved.