Have you ever lost something valuable? A ring, money, your keys…
I remember when our youngest daughter was in preschool. Her class took a field trip to Sea World. I’m not sure how many mothers and fathers went along to chaperone but we had a large group and I’m so glad we did. There were two pre-school classes, teachers, helpers, parents and kids.
We had a wonderful day! After we had gone to several of the scheduled shows we broke up into smaller groups and visited the aquariums and tide pools. We were all to meet back at the main gate by the fountain at a particular time, ready to go home.
When we arrived at the fountain we asked the all important question, who has to go potty before we start back. Several hands were raised and so some of the moms and dads escorted the students to the bathrooms while others of us waited back at the fountain with the rest of the children. And then the unthinkable happened.
One of the mother’s let out a frantic cry – my kids are gone! She had brought her two younger children on the field trip with the rest of us and while she was looking after a couple of the students, her children had wandered off.
She called their names over and over again, we prayed and gathered up the rest of the children, had them sit down on the ground by the fountain under the watchful eye of 2 of the chaperones and all the rest of the adults spread out to find the missing two.
It seemed we searched for an eternity but in reality it was probably only 15-20 minutes and there they were. Hands dipping in one of the tide pools to touch the star fish. Not frightened, not worried just playing as children do!
The relief, the tears, the joy, the lecture…what was lost had been found!
Have you lost your relationship with the Lord? Maybe you’ve just wandered away for a bit – looking for something fun to do? Not realizing that you could be in danger out there in the big world all by yourself. The Bible promises us that if we seek the Lord we will find Him and that there will be a reward for seeking Him.
“Without faith no one can please God. Whoever comes to God must believe that he is real and that he rewards those who sincerely try to find him.” Hebrews 11:6 ERV
I encourage you today to search for God, search His Word and you will find that He’s right there waiting for you.
“I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.” This message is from the Lord. “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future. 12 Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will search for me, and when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me. 14 I will let you find me.” This message is from the Lord.” Jeremiah 29:11-14 ERV