I needed to find something at work yesterday. I looked in the logical place. It wasn’t there. I asked a few people if they knew where this item might be. No one had seen it. One of our facilities guys went searching for this item and when he found it, he brought it to my office.

This is what he had to say. “I looked everywhere. Just when I was ready to give up, I thought of one more place. It was there. The last place I looked.” The crazy part is that it was in the room right next to where this item was supposed to be and where I looked. I was so close, but didn’t find it.

Jesus told a couple of parables about items that had been lost. The lost sheep (Luke 15:1-7). The lost coin (Luke 15:8-10). The lost son (Luke 15:11-32). In each of these parables, the lesson to be learned is that no matter how long it takes, God is not willing for one soul to be lost. It is His greatest desire to rejoice over the one who was “once lost, but is now found.”

So how does God search for the lost? God does some of the same things the woman searching for her lost coin did.

Seeks to Save

Jesus came to earth for the purpose of redeeming mankind. Luke 19:10 (NIV) tells us that “the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” I don’t know about you, but I am thankful that God didn’t give up on me after my first effort to ditch Him. He continued to work on my heart until it was softened to His message. How blessed we are for God’s diligence.

Dissolves Darkness

Jesus also came to earth to provide light. We see in John 12:46 (NIV) that Jesus came “into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in him should stay in darkness.” Part of the search plan is to reveal glorious light that provides a way to maneuver in this dark world. When we come into the light, we can easily be seen and found. Again, how thankful I am for the Light of world, Jesus.

Purifies

Once we are in the Light, the dirt and grime of our past lives are swept away and our lives are purified by the blood of Jesus. In 1 John 1:7-9, we find that as we confess our sin, God forgives and cleanses from all unrighteousness. Because of God’s faithfulness, all of this is possible.

Unlike my friend who stopped looking after the item was found, God continues His search. He not only seeks to find those who are lost, but for those of us who have already found His righteousness, His eyes are still upon us. Remember, “the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer.” (1 Peter 3:12 – NIV) And 2 Chronicles 16:9 (NIV) says, “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”

Again, I am thankful for God’s continuous desire to seek those who are lost. I have been found because of God’s faithfulness. Have you?

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna