Are we willing to make time for the wandering or the lost whether it be through prayer or following the promptings of the Holy Spirit to help, listen or speak truth in love?

In the series of Parables in Luke 15 we see God's love for the lost sinner and for His child who has fallen out of fellowship with Him. As Jesus went throughout His journeys, He was surrounded by multitudes continuously. It seemed often that His apostles saw the destination they were to get to, but Jesus often left the multitudes and focused on individuals. We read in Luke 15:4-7, "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?...And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance." In this parable, the lost sheep, and in the next parable, the lost coin, represent lost sinners.

These individuals represent the extent that Jesus was willing to go through to save that lost individual, and the rejoicing that occurs when one turns their life over to Christ. The Parable of the Lost Son, better known as the Prodigal Son, is a little different. This Prodigal Son was indeed God's child but had lost his way. Notice in the first two parables, the owner went out to look for what was lost. In this parable, the father watches and waits for his son's return. But we should not miss the reaction of the brother in the Parable of the lost Son. Like the Pharisees, the older brother was disgusted by the sinning brother and refused to rejoice at his return, as we read in Luke 15:28, "But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore, his father pleaded with him. The parable concludes in 15:31-32 as the father continues to speak to the brother, "And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found." How many are truly blinded to what really matters.

Our world seems to be spiraling out of control. We have to continually remind ourselves that this is not true. God has always been and always will be in control. Events are moving along precisely as He knows they will. The same holds true for our personal schedule, as long as we are under His control. May we start each day in His Word and in prayer. Then throughout the day, may we remind ourselves regardless of what we do, that we are merely vessels. God has given us His schedule. Each day we must decide which schedule is more important, His or our own.