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Lost and Found

                 Luke 15, with its parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son, is one of the most-loved chapters in the word of God.  Reflecting mostly on the lost son (verses 11-32), I want to offer you a reminder, some reassurance, an opportunity to re-evaluate and one thought that is too good to keep to myself.
                The reminder:  You will never be happy when you are running away.  The younger son tried it.  However, after wasting all he was given, he figured out that home was better than he knew.  Verse 17 says, “When he came to his senses…” he went back home.  I love that! 
                The reassurance:  We serve a God who is waiting, welcoming, running towards and celebrating (verses 20-24).   Never let anyone convince you that God is mean, angry or ready to slam the door in your face.  When God looks at us, he is “filled with compassion” (verse 20).  Never, ever, doubt God’s love!
                The re-evaluation:  We can be in God’s presence but not in a relationship with him.  That is the position of the older brother.   He served his father, but he did it out of duty, not love!   His service made him resentful instead of joyful.  Legalism, keeping the rules simply because they are rules, will always harm your soul.  So, let me ask you, are you celebrating or are you bitter?  In the end, what your service produces in your heart is more important than the service itself (see Matthew 15:8-9).
                One last thought:  We love the stories in Luke 15 because we often see ourselves on the receiving end.  We are the lost sheep, coin and son.   But what if we are not supposed to read these stories only as if we are passive receivers of God’s grace?  What if we are called to be the shepherd who actively searches, the woman who tirelessly sweeps and the father who runs and welcomes? 
                Remember, Jesus told these stories to correct a group of people who were trying to keep others out, rather than welcoming them in (verses 1-2).
                Please keep telling about how the lost can come home.  That is our message.  But just as importantly, join the search!  Help others come home!   And when they do, celebrate with them. 
                It is a chance to experience, in a small part, the big celebration at our final homecoming!

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