Lost?!?
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.” ~ Matthew 18: 10-14
(ESV – emphasis mine)
Over the last years I have stopped watching network TV. There has been nothing that truly interested me. Taking time out of my busy day seemed a waste. Well, that changed when I started to watch some reruns of the series “Lost”. I have to admit, I am ‘hooked’ on this show. Let me tell you a little about the show — why I like it.
A plane takes off from Sydney to Los Angeles. I am not sure how many people are on board at the time of take-off, but considering the size of the plane – maybe 350 passengers. For one reason or another, the plane needs to turn back; veers off course 1,000 miles. The plane breaks in half over an unknown island – most of the passengers die, except for 60. A second chance on life!!! Wow! What to do with this second chance?
Watching this show brought many thoughts to mind. As in real life, the survivors of the crash need to think about what to do with a second chance. As the survivors, we too were lost at one point in our life. Jesus went out of His way to give us a second chance. What do we do with our second chance? Will we forget how Jesus went after us? Will we forget where we came from?
I am asking those questions, because when we see others who do not have a saving relationship (yet) with our Lord and Savior, we are very quick to condemn. Read the above passage again. Jesus tells us not to despise anyone who is not yet part of His ‘sheep-pen’.
In the TV show there is always someone reminding the survivors of their past; what they have done; where they came from. Jesus gives us a second chance without any strings attached. He takes us as we are – not reminding us of our past, but giving us a future…May I be more like Jesus, not despising, condemning or even judging others who not know Him (yet).
“Lord of Heaven and Earth. Thank you for the reminder that we are all survivors. Thank You for going after me — giving me a second chance on life. Lord, help me to see everyone as You see them – survivors after a crash-landing. May I be always aware of the ones that are searching for a meaning in their lives – may I point them to cross. In Your precious name I pray – Amen…”
Thank you for stopping by today. May you and your family have a safe and blessed Thanksgiving…
yes we are all survivors and if we didn’t have God there’s no way we could do it. PTL!
Amen, I praise God for letting me be a survivor.
Rejoicing that I am part of the sheep pen and can’t nwait for others to join! So glad our sins are removed as far as the east is from the west and we do not have to look back….I’d hate my flashbacks…well, i did go there from time to time, but this devotion reminds me I sure don’t have to! Thanks, Iris!
I’m so glad God sought after me until I was found. He went the extra mile for me. Thank you, Father.
Have a great Thanksgiving!
I once was lost… now I am found. Praising Jesus.
Iris, neat post. Happy thanksgiving. Hugs~
Reminds me of that old song “I will survive” – I am so grateful this Thanksgiving that Jesus Christ has made all of us overcomers. -Happy Thanksgiving Iris! – Laurie
Thank you for sharing the verse in your entry. I really enjoy that one. Just the reminder that at one point in time I didn’t know Christ and He came to me and brought me into the fold. I rejoyce when other members join this family, the family of God. *smile*
Happy Thanksgiving…tomarrow.*smile* Remember to pray always.
Harvest blessings.-me-(Mommy of two little blessings) by the way, my fun anti-spam word this time, for the first time, is Jesus. How fun! *smile*