LOST AND FOUND

by Tammy Phillips
September 19, 2021

“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?” (Luke 9:25 NKJV)

I hate to be lost or to lose anything. I lost an earring at a collegiate football game.  Some would have just resigned that the earring was lost in the sea of people. The earring was important to me because I really liked it.  I carefully retraced my steps over the past 2-hour period.  I found it at the place I started the day, a large tailgate tent where we began pregame festivities.  I found it because someone cared enough to pick it up, put it in a safe place and direct me to its resting place.  I am thankful that they thought my lost item was important enough to save. 

Facebook Groups has an ad on television which pictures a person posting into a group called, “Not Wasting My Twenties.”  The person writes: “Feeling lost …help.”  Others respond by posting, “Do what moves you.”  Good advice, as long as what “moves you” points you in the right direction.   A second girl advises, “Put yourself out there!” I interpret that to mean, “Be brave and courageous.  You have got to be a friend to have a friend.”   The last commenter says, “It is ok to be lost.”  This is where I was like, NOPE, I beg to differ. Who ever wants to be lost? Everyone wants to be found.  When we are lost or lose something, negative feelings surface.

When we lose our keys, we feel panicked because we obviously need them to reach our destination.  When we are driving and get lost, we can experience anxiety and even fear if we cannot find our way.   When we cannot comprehend what we are reading or studying, we may feel lost. We want to understand and find the path to illumination.  When we feel invisible in the world or lost in a room, we want to be seen.  What about taking the wrong train in a big city? Losing a child at a basketball game? Misplacing a piece of jewelry or any amount of money?   What about the death of a child or a spouse?   “I like feeling lost.  I like being lost,” said no one, ever.  I guess it is “OK” to be lost.  It is just not ok to stay lost.

The Facebook Groups advertisement ends with a graphic, “Take on figuring it out. Take on anything with Facebook Groups.”

If you are lost or feeling lost, do not stay in that place.  Jesus thinks you were, and are, important enough to save and to be found.

I enCOURAGE you to take on figuring it out if you feel lost.   Take on anything and everything but take it on with Jesus.  Joining a support group is not a bad idea, but start with the Lord.  He is the Way, Truth, and the Light.  He came to find you.  He came to save you.  “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10 KJV).  He is Savior in life and in every situation, but you have to invite Him in.  You have to talk to Him about it.  Jump in the deep with Him.  You will not regret it.

“‘For thus says the Lord GOD: “Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. …  I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick; but I will destroy the fat and the strong, and feed them in judgment.’” (Ezekiel 34:2, 11, 16 NKJV)

(In the Bible, Luke tells three stories, one about a lost sheep, one about a lost coin, and one about a lost son.  Each story speaks of the great joy of finding what was lost.  Hope you will take time to read.  Click the link:  LUKE 15)