There are many things that can crop up and shake our faith in our relationship with God–deaths, disasters, other Christians, our own emotions and wants. God is seeking us out and rejoices when we are found! As you look at your life are their external things that have come between you and your relationship with God? God is seeking you! He rejoices when you come back to Him! Don’t miss this party!
Luke 15:8-10 (TNIV, the parable of the lost coin)
8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins [Greek: ten drachmas, each worth about a day’s wages] and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
In this parable Jesus is telling us about God’s love for people who fall into sin. Oh……I guess that includes all of us!
Here is a little background context: Ten coins may not seem like much to us, however, in ancient times, Palestinian women would often receive 10 silver coins as a wedding gift. Not only were these coins of value monetarily, but they also held an emotional meaning too. Think about it, if she lost one of the coins, it became VERY important to find it.
Let me point out that our relationship with The Father, indeed with Jesus, is not only of great value, there is a deep emotional component also. Think about that relationship in your life with the person that you love deeply. maybe it’s a spouse, maybe it’s a parent, a sibling……..it could even be a friend. When that relationship is lost there is a great hole in our heart. You see, I believe that God grieves when we become lost to Him.
Let me also point out that this woman discovered that the coin was lost and she was in great distress. She went through much to look for and find that coin. The key is, she doesn’t simply wait for the coin to appear, she actively looks for it!
Have you felt like you were falling away from the One who can comfort you, who can provide guidance to find your way and who is your refuge in times of trouble? If that’s where you are now, maybe God has put me in your life to let you know that he desperately wants you back in the fold. Or if it’s not me, maybe God has placed someone else in your life that has been sharing the same thing with you. God, indeed Jesus, never gives up on you. He is seeking you in the deepest corners of your life.
I need to point this out too: When this woman found the coin, not only did she rejoice privately…..she rejoiced so much that she shared it with her friends and neighbors. Oh, how God rejoices when one who was lost is found.
If you have suffered in life, or simply lost your way, or even if you have gotten a little off the path…….look for the light of Jesus! God is shining that light in all the corners and crannies of your life because he wants you found! If you feel disconnected…….start taking action: ask God to heal your heart. Forgive even when you feel wronged. Trust and walk with Jesus every day. Talk to Him day-in and day-out. Ask Him to be your refuge, ask Him to be your strength. Seek His wisdom and apply it in your life. Recognize that God’s greatest attribute is love and grace.
The woman didn’t give up on finding that precious coin. God, indeed Jesus, won’t give up in finding you!
It’s funny, I am at my desk, it’s late and the worship band is practicing in the next room. Drums, a bass, keyboards and screaming guitars passionately crying out “Amazing Grace” And it’s a sweet sound. Because the grace that God extended to me saved me from myself and the world. If the world has blinded you to His grace….look for the light so you can TRULY see!
Are you lost or falling away? Jesus is looking for you. Look for the light and follow it back into His arms.
Pastor Jan;
Praying all is well with you as well. And thank you for praying and assisting me(us). We are greatful for that !
You know this message today is something I needed. I am not sure but it appears somewhere the more I pray the harder life gets… its strange I am seeking our Lord but again I feel alone at times..I open the bible and something is missing. I am up early daily and retreat to a place to read scripture and pray. And again feel I am missing the Lord’s presence. Am i blocking him out somehow? I try to understand why so many things happen against the good I do and try. These days have been tough….praying and never stopping to better the situations in life…at most times its lonely.
God Bless & Thank you Pastor.
Hi Steve 🙂 Sometimes I tell people that in the midst of our struggle we often want God to “solve” everything. However, He wants us to look to him for comfort and wisdom knowing that we will gain so much more if we walk through these things and grow from them. Next week, if you get a chance, let me know when, I would love to meet at the office and pray together.
It is natural I think to feel alone sometimes or far from God. But know that He is with you. Look for the blessing He is pointing your way. Maybe meeting Chuck was a blessing? Are there others? I pray that as you just “Be still and know that God is God” (Psalms 46:10) that you will start to see His presence all around you in your life. Things will still crop up, challenges will present themselves. But, I pray that with God, you will rise up to meet those challenges with strength knowing that God is indeed with you.
Talk to you soon!