I could not find my keys! As the urgency welled up inside of me, I tried to remain calm.
Then I started talking and answering myself with a prayer mixed in along the way. It went something like: “Where did I have them last? Oh, I know… I know I had them 2 days ago because I used them to go in and out of the house. Lord, I really need my keys! I’m reminded of the parable of the lady that lost the coin and parable of the lost sheep!”
Then, I remembered that I had moved the van just last night. Back to my desk I went. Sure enough, they were under a book.
Don’t you hate it when you lose or misplace something? Doesn’t urgency well up inside of you? Do you rejoice when you find it?
What about the lost people? Do you feel any urgency to share the gospel with them?
What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
Luke 15:4-10
The man looked for the sheep. The lady looked for her silver. They both dropped everything they were doing to concentrate on the one task of finding the lost item. They felt some urgency in the task because the item – silver or sheep – was important to them. It had value.
They also both rejoiced when they found what they were searching to find. Their object of value was safely in their hands. It was time to call friends and make a big deal of it!
Likewise, the angels rejoice when a sinner repents. It’s a big deal! Their eternity is safe! I love to see folks come to the Lord! Do you? Is it a big deal to you?
LIFE APPLICATION
Today’s challenge is two-fold. First, ask yourself what your life would look like if you felt the same urgency for reaching the lost that you do when you lose your keys. What would you do differently? Would you reach out more? Would you invite more folks to church to hear the gospel regardless of whether you thought they’d join or not?
Second, pick one of the things that you thought of. Incorporate it into your life and act on it today!