Lost and Found

 

 

"I was lost and now am found..."

 

 

John sat by himself at the counter of the diner. He took his spoon and swirled it in his cup of coffee. As with most mornings, he felt as if there was a dark cloud hanging over his head. His family had long ago severed ties with him, and most of his "associates" had proven themselves to be users rather than friends. He felt alone. Not even God wanted him, as he had turned his back on God time and time again. Yes, John was lost and alone. He was in a place he did not want to be.

As kids, we knew where they were. Every school, every church and most organizations where kids visited had one. As parents, it is the first place we would go when one of our kids came home without a hat or one glove. I am talking about the Lost and Found Department. When you went there, often times you did not find the item you were looking for. However, it was a marvel to see how many items ended up there.

 

Some believe in life, we also have a Lost and Found Department. I am not talking about being lost like you forgot to turn your GPS on. I mean lost because of no connections with others. Often when you become lost from friends and family, when the connection is broken, it is difficult to reconnect. It feels as if you have been in the Lost and Found Department forever with nobody looking for you. Some people turn inward - some go from extroverted to introverted. Some even decide that being alone, being lost, makes life not worth living.

 

For those in the Christian faith, there is a mountain of good news. Even for the most lost, those who have been wandering in a spiritual wilderness for more years than can be remembered, they can still be found. The Father of Lies will do anything to separate you from God, to knock you off your path, to blind your way. However, here is where the good news comes in. Your Heavenly Father always knows exactly where you are, and invites you to come home. He never gives up, never accepts you as lost. No matter what you have done, where you have been, the door is always open and the welcome mat is always out.

 

In John's darkest days, he might wonder how this is possible. It is possible by grace alone. By grace alone we are saved, we are invited to come home. In the hymn Amazing Grace, the most remembered stanza is as follows:

Amazing Grace, how sweet, the sound
That saved, a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see

To that, all I can add is "Amen!"