By David ReayFriday 17 Apr 2015LifeWords DevotionalsCultureReading Time: 0 minutes
Transcript:
Read Luke 15:1-7
1-3 By this time a lot of men and women of doubtful reputation were hanging around Jesus,listening intently. The Pharisees and religion scholars were not pleased,not at all pleased. They growled,”He takes in sinners and eats meals with them,treating them like old friends.” Their grumbling triggered this story.
4-7 “Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? When found,you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders,rejoicing,and when you got home call in your friends and neighbors,saying,’Celebrate with me! I’ve found my lost sheep!’ Count on it-there’s more joy in heaven over one sinner’s rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue. (THE MESSAGE)
We can spend a lot of time and energy and even worry regarding our seeking God. Are we praying enough? Is our Bible reading consistent enough? Are we in the right church? Should I do be doing more,or less,in the church and community?
All valid questions,but they all ignore the more primary question. True,we are to seek God. But only in the context of his prior seeking of us. Remember,the lost sheep was probably not intentionally seeking the shepherd. He was likely scared and confused and weary. His survival didn’t depend on his cleverness or tenacity. He was utterly dependent on the shepherd coming after him.
Our first priority is to allow ourselves to be found by this seeking God. Be sure he is seeking us. And as our text indicates,this applies to the outcasts and those who may have given up on life. Our God isn’t confined to Christian circles.
So instead of frantically seeking God,we may profitably decide to take time to discern how he is seeking us. How he is ‘showing up’ in the mundane or messy realities of our everyday lives. By all means pray each day for a heart to seek after God. But also pray each day for a heart to locate the God who is seeking you.
Blessings
David Reay