Have you ever lost something that was of great value to you? Something you had in your possession but suddenly you could not find it anywhere. Maybe it was a wallet with all of your bank cards and identification inside. Maybe it was a treasured piece of jewelry that had irreplaceable sentimental value to you. Maybe it was your keys this morning. Unfortunately, I have spent countless hours searching for things I have lost or misplaced. I start my search in the obvious places and ask myself questions like “Where did you last see your debit card?” Then I begin to look high and low, I look in sensible places and once those options have proven unsuccessful, I begin to look in downright ridiculous places. But sometimes that is just where I find what was lost, like the one time I found my keys in the freezer. Jesus help me! Each of us, to varying degrees, has experienced the panic and frustration of losing something. Maybe it’s not a something, maybe it is a someone, maybe it is your self. Whatever the case, when something is lost your soul is not settled until it is found or either you lose hope.
Think about the material things you have lost… Maybe you didn’t even lose it, maybe it was taken from you. Losing something, especially when it is never found, leaves an imprint in your memory. You may move on, but you don’t forget. You may even replace the thing that was lost with the exact make, model, style but you never forget the original. So what about the things you have lost that are not easily replaceable? What about the things money can’t buy – dignity, respect, relationships, trust, purity, knowing who you are? Sometimes we lose things that were never meant to be lost and the effects of such losses have a lasting effect that is not quickly resolved by looking under a pillow or checking your purse for the twelth time. To find the treasures of life that have been lost either by choice, chance or circumstance, we oftentimes have to do a deeper work. This work requires patience, it requires grace and usually there is a little forgiveness that is needed as well. What have you lost?
I will never forget the time I lost a valuable friendship. My words and judgement towards my friend caused a deep rift between us. I was involved in a triangle of gossip that at the time was quite entertaining for me. What I thought was okay because I was “joking” caused my friend to cut off all communication with me. At first, I could not understand what the big deal was because I was only joking, but it ended up that the joke was on me. My friendship was lost, trust was lost, respect was lost. And I ended up feeling lost because my actions hurt someone in a way I never would have imagined. Although I initially pretended that I did not care, deep down I was crushed. It was never my intention to lose my whole friendship. In the midst of that loss, I learned very valuable lessons that have shaped me into the woman I am today. I learned to be trustworthy, my heart grew more tender and compassionate, the triangle of gossip became less appealing to me, and I learned to listen for things that were never spoken out load. I learned to love the way I desired to be loved. I am glad to say that God restored and redeemed our friendship, but it took work and humility and forgiveness. It was so worth it, our friendship now is richer, stronger and deeper than it ever was and I am so grateful. What was lost has been found and restored and I cherish that relationship so much so that I will always make sure to protect it.
A few years ago I ran across some old photos. Don’t you love taking walks down memory lane? There was a picture of me in my early twenties and I had a big smile on my face. My son Jalen was only two years old at the time and he was with me in the photo. When I first saw it, I smiled, reminiscing about the sweet times I had with Jalen. He was my little buddy, he was my world. But something caused me to really look at myself in the picture. In my spirit, I was prompted to look deep into my eyes. When I did, I was moved to tears. My heart was broken for the girl in the photo, the one who had to keep it all together for her son, when all around her was chaos and dysfunction. This girl had no clue who she was, all she knew was that she had to make it. She was lost. Years of emotional and verbal abuse chipped away at her identity so she began to define herself by her accomplishments and possessions, never taking the time to find out who she really was at the core of her soul. When choice, chance, or circumstance cause you to focus on surviving or accomplishing, it is so easy to lose yourself. It happens everyday. Parents forget who they are because they focus so much on their children. Identities are lost. You neglect what you are passionate about because you have errands to run and bills to pay and and a corporate ladder to climb. If you are not careful to tend and keep and be true to your own self, your soul may be lost in the process of life. What was lost can be found, but it takes work and humility and forgiveness, and did I say work? No one ever sets out to lose themselves, no one ever sets out with ambitions to lose hope or faith or trust, but it happens. What have you lost?
Of course I won’t leave you hanging. Maybe years of low self esteem have caused you to behave in a way that led to the loss of your dignity. Or you have focused so much on making ends meet and keeping your family together that you forgot who you were in the process. Maybe your purity was taken from you – stolen – and now you are lost. This is for the lost ones. When all hope has been lost and you have given up and you are sick and tired of being sick and tired, take heart! There is good news. Not just good news, great news! If you haven’t heard, there is someone who was sent specifically to find those who were lost, he was sent to heal those who are brokenhearted, he was sent to bring restoration and redemption. He was sent so that what was lost would be found. No matter your struggle, no matter how deep the wound, no matter the hurt or the shame, You are worthy. You have an assignment, you have purpose. And it can be found in Christ. You don’t have to earn it, you don’t have to deserve it. He died to give it you so that you could live life freely and abundantly as you live for Him.
The girl in the picture that broke my heart has been redeemed and restored to places she could have never imagined or even hoped for. When the enemy steals from you, when he takes your life, your dreams, your hope, your children, your relationships, your finances, your possessions, your health, do not fall into despair. Instead, turn to your savior, Christ Jesus. He died to give you life more abundantly. I can testify that God is faithful. He returned to me everything the enemy tried to take. But He didn’t just return it, He multiplied it. He increased it. He put His stamp of approval on it and it was better than what I originally possessed. There is no one like Him in all the earth. Seek Him and His righteousness and you will find everything that you have been missing.
What have you lost? Do you believe that something even greater can be found in Christ? Begin today to trust in God for redemption and restoration, He is the one who will leave the ninety-nine to find the one – that one is YOU!!!!
*** I was inspired to write this post after finding out that a young man from my church family was missing. As of this post he has been missing for 28 days. My heart breaks for him and his family. Please join me in prayer that he is found safe and will be returned to his family. Our God is able.