Girlfriends in God - Aug. 15, 2007

August 15, 2007

Lost and Found

Sharon Jaynes

 

 

Today’s Truth

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was 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 for Disney World! It was his first time on an airplane, his first time sleeping in a hotel, and his first time to see 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. As it begins, 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. Of course, 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 a long and convinced Eve that God was holding out on her. There was more. If she would simply disobey God, eat of the forbidden fruit, she could be like God.

 

Eve bought the lie and disobeyed. Then she convinced her husband to disobey with her. And well, we know the rest of the story. They were lost.

 

The scene suddenly changes. We see fear, shame, and doubt as they hide from God. God walks through the garden and doesn’t see His children. Then He asked the first question recorded in the Bible…Where are you?

 

Girlfriend, it was the first question in the Bible and 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.

We were lost and didn’t even know it…our heavenly Father found us.

 

So, I leave that question 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 say is …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 after You – that I had something to do with my salvation. But You were pursuing me all along. All I did was to 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

There is nothing more exciting than saying “yes” to God and accepting Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. The angels rejoice! But what exactly happens in our inner man when we come to Christ? What does it mean to be a “new creation in Christ?” If you would like to have a deeper understanding of what it means to be “born again” see Sharon’s book, Experience the Ultimate Makeover in which she starts at the very beginning and walks you through the transformation that occurs in each believer!

 

 

Seeking God?

Click here to find out more about having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

 

 

Girlfriends in God

P.O. Box 725

Matthews, NC 28106

info@girlfriendsingod.com
www.girlfriendsingod.com

 

 

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Originally published Wednesday, 15 August 2007.

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