Break It Down

We live in a complicated world these days, and it just seems to become more and more complicated with each passing day.

With the complication that seems to surround so many daily tasks it is so refreshing when, on occasion, things are simple. Like the message in church this past Sunday morning!

At the morning service, our rector, John Riggin, brought the children to the front of the church and sat amongst them to tell the story, the parable, of the one lost sheep. (Mathew 18: 10-14)

The story relays how the good shepherd that owned 100 sheep, would leave the 99, to go in search of a single sheep that had become lost.

The shepherd truly had all the sheep he needed, even without the one, but he left the other 99 to search for the one sheep that was missing, not because he needed it, but simply because.... He loved the sheep that much.

At the end of the story, talking to a group of small children and on the verge of losing his audience, John "broke it down" so their young minds, as well as the adults in the congregation, could grasp the gravity of the story....

For the adults, the example was used of hosting a party with 100 important guests, yet you leave that party you are hosting, to search for the one single guest that has gone astray.

For the children, John slowly spaced out and emphasized his words, saying.... if you were one Jesus's 100 sheep, and you were to get lost, He would leave the other 99 sheep just to search for you, because.... He.... Loves.... Each.... And.... Evey.... One.... Of.... You.... That.... Much!!

I can't say for certain that John recaptured the full attention of his young audience with that closing statement but, I can tell you this.... he captured mine.

He captured my attention because not that man years ago, I was the one that was lost and, not only did Jesus leave the 99 to search for me, He called and He called and He called, without ceasing, for three decades.... until I was found.

He never once in all those years gave up on me, and He won't give up on you, or anyone else, for one very simple reason, because.... He.... Loves.... Us.... That.... Much!

In a world of complex things, don't forget this simple truth….

You are God's most prized and cherished creation and you can never get so lost in this world that you can't be found, redeemed, restored, repaired, and repurposed…. by Christ.

Get In The Boat. Do Your Part.

From Nose To Toes!

Shane / #16