Matthew 18:12“What do you think? If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains, and go and search for the one that is lost?
In this chapter, Jesus has told the disciples that they need to become like little children trusting those that care for them. It is how our relationship with God should be, but trusting is not easy especially for someone who has been abused. He then speaks of those who cause others to stumble… the people that tempt a person…
But after that He tells the most beautiful parable that I think He tells for all of those lost sheep that He would seek out. I was one of those lost sheep.
Erskine College was my last choice. My first choice was the University of Georgia where I was accepted. I wanted to be a journalist or at least that is what I wanted to study. My brother Jimmy said it was a party school and did not want me to go there. I was accepted at Appalachian State University, and Da was working up in Boone, N C on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and he was told it was a party school. That was out- and I was glad because I was only saying I would be a teacher to make my mother think I was. It was the last thing I wanted to do, but at that time women’s careers were limited. My mother had my cousin drive us to see Erskine, and I saw only a little of the campus and said, “I will go.” I applied and was accepted. My brother Gary complained that it would cost a lot of money. My father pointed out to him that his schooling was not cheap. Gary was a doctor, and went to an expensive school.
I was not really wanting to go to a Christian school. I was an atheist. But I was going. The way I look back at it- I was that lost sheep, and God was cornering me where I could be found. When I accepted Christ, I remember my friend Vandy saying, “Your face is glowing.”
It was. I was glowing inside with joy. It was the first time I felt joy since my brother Joe was shot when I was eight years old. It was the first time I felt joy since the Babysitter had abused me. I imagine that Jesus was filled with joy because I was found, and I was safe. Learning to trust Him would take time. It took working with children to begin to trust again.
Jesus talks of the shepherd’s joy when a lost sheep is found. I believe this joy radiates around Jesus when each of us have been found. For we all wander at some point in our lives. Some not very far. Others like me wander into dangerous places. We matter to Him for he sought us.
I also know the prayers of people asking for me to be found were sent to God. I had the joy of telling some of them years later that Jesus had found me, and I was no longer lost. I thanked many of them. Pray for those people whom you love who are lost. Who will if you don’t?
In the song Come Thy Fount of Every Blessing there are two lines that speak to my wandering ways. I love that song for that reason. “Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love. It then says, “Here’s my heart, take and seal it; seal it for the courts above.” Daily I remind myself where I was before I found Christ and where I am now.
Today’s Question:
Do you pray for those who are lost?
Ever in Christ’s Love,
Mary Elizabeth Todd
February 2, 2024 & May 2, 2024
Ruhamah United Methodist Church Bible Verses 