He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his
arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with
young.
Matthew 18:12-14“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.
I'd find the widest maple tree in the yard and
squeeze myself as small as I could, behind it. The child who was 'it' would
call out "Ready or not, here I come" to let us know they were
searching for our hiding place. As a kid my neighbors, cousins, and I spent
endless hours playing hide-and-go-seek. We especially loved playing from dusk
to dark. But in the game of hide-and-go-seek, we didn't want to be caught, or
we'd be the 'it' person.
As an adult, I rarely play that old childhood game,
unless one of my grandkids talks me into it. But I can tell you there have been
times when I've played hide-and-go-seek with God. I've buried my head and
ignored his wisdom, his call, or his word. I've run the other way in shame,
rolled myself in a cocoon of misery and regret. But you know what, he came
after me. He sought me out. Why? Because he loves me no matter what. The God
who created the universe called me by name and told me I am his child.
Jesus is often called the Good Shepherd. As a
shepherd, he searches for that single sheep that strays away from the flock. He
chases that one little lamb who lost his way. He seeks in the shadows, climbs
the mountains, tears down the walls to find that one who is lost. Once he finds
us, he holds us, loves us and gives hope beyond, hope. Jesus said he's happier
about finding that one lost sheep than about the ninety-nine who stayed put.
Why? Because Jesus wants every child of his to be found, to be saved from the
evil in this world. He wants every soul to rest in him.
Jesus loves like no other. Run into his arms.