He Chases the Lost

I know what it’s like to feel a certain separation from God you just can’t explain. A strange detachment from scripture and everything you know to be true. A feeling of hopelessness when it comes to your purpose and direction in life.

I’ve been there.

Feeling lost and empty is something we as humans experience, at some point or another. This fallen world will only become harder to live in as time passes by. But we can find comfort in Jesus because He is exactly the same today as is He in the Bible. 

Let’s go back to the parable of the lost sheep: 

“Then Jesus told them this parable: ‘Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, “Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.” I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.’” (Luke 15:1-7)

You have probably heard this story before. The shepherd leaves ninety-nine sheep to search for the one that wandered. When He finds it, He joyfully carries it on his shoulders and brings it back home. He then rejoices with his friends and neighbors.

The visual of this passage overwhelms me. Not once was he frustrated in his search. No condemnation, complaints, or blame. Instead, He embraces the sheep with tenderness and compassion.

God has shown me that I was once that sheep.

He provided for me everything I could ever need, and all the love I could ever ask for. Yet, I wandered into the wilderness without Him. Even still, He gave me grace. He loved me and pursued me. He dropped everything and searched for me when I was lost. He even rejoiced when He found me because I mean everything to Him.

Maybe you aren’t where you thought you’d be at this point. Maybe you’re unsure of the direction you should go. 

Maybe you are the lost sheep.

Know this —

You may feel lost right now, but you are in the process of being found. Our hearts are prone to wander, so Jesus came here “to seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10). He wants to save each of us individually. 

He knows your loneliness, your confusion, and your conflicts. He will joyfully carry you on His shoulders through your pain and struggles. He will bring you home.

No matter how far you stray, you will never wander too far for Him to find you.

Jesus left the ninety-nine to find you. He’s coming after you.

In your wandering, He faithfully and diligently hunts you down. In your wandering, He does whatever it takes to find you. He transforms you and renews you as He carries you home. Even when you are lost, you are never abandoned. He will always relentlessly pursue you because you are that special to Him.

Let Jesus chase you.

Let Him pick you up.

Let Him joyfully carry you on His shoulders and bring you back home.