Be Found

Luke 15: 25

He was lost and has been found.

At spin class today our instructor played a song in which the lyric said, “I didn’t know I was lost.” I wondered how much that describes our Christian salvation. Did we realize how lost we were before Jesus found us? I think that even as I continue to grow closer to the Father that I realize how lost I was. I don’t know that I thought I was lost though.

The interesting part of this being or feeling lost is that I was actually “saved” in that I had given my life to Jesus. I called him my Lord. This is why the Word says, “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2: 12). Even after our initial surrender to Christ, there is so much more for us to work out. We get one area resolve only to discover there is another area of our lives where we are lost in the fog. At first, we don’t even realize we are wandering around in the tall weeds. Then, there is a moment of clarity in which we see the truth of our situation. In that moment we have a choice. Sometimes we are embarrassed by our weakness and wish to hide from the truth. That is a normal reaction, I think, but also one, which if embraced, leads to failure rather than growth. In the moment of our epiphany if we will allow ourselves the right to be on the grow rather than demanding perfection of ourselves, we can choose to let Father help us. Together we can work out our salvation in that area.

Right now, in this very moment, there may be an area where you still feel lost. That’s okay. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit for just such a moment as this. It could also be the case that you are lost and don’t even realize it. A simple prayer asking Jesus to find you in any way you are lost will resolve that problem. We all wander around at times but wise is the person who realizes it and seeks “the way” and you are wise. Reach out to Jesus and allow him to shine light upon your path. Let him lead you into all truth. Be found!

Not Forsaken

Psalm 22: 1

My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?

Many people recognize these words as having been spoken by Jesus from the cross. When the sin of the world hit him, he was isolated from his father. Did you realize, though, David penned the same words and that they are recorded in the 22nd Psalm? Appreciating that fact made me think that other people have likely felt the same way at some time in their lives. I know I have. Yet, if you read the rest of David’s psalm, you hear how his attitude changed. The end of the psalm is written in confidence and gratitude for God’s delivering power.

David went through some challenges in his life but he well knew that the Lord was his strength. No matter how bad things got; no matter how worried David became, in his depths he knew God would deliver him. From deep within him, the strength of the Lord would rise up. David’s trust and confidence in the Lord would overwhelm the greatest of problems. Before long, he would be writing a psalm of praise extolling the Lord’s delivering grace.

No matter how alone you feel and how desperate your situation appears, know for a fact that the Lord has not abandoned nor forsaken you. I know it feels like you are alone but just like David, when you take your eyes off of the enormity of the problems surrounding you and put them back on your Father, you will find that He was standing right beside you the whole time. He is well able and willing to deliver you from this present trouble. Trust his love and power.