Last week I mentioned here on my blog that I felt invisible at a recent ‘twitter party’. That feeling, obviously, is not uncommon – so many commented they too feel invisible.
As some of you know I am neck deep in a new book, 40 Days of Lent – the people, places, and events surrounding The Passion. This past weekend as I watched the snow and temperatures fall I wrote. I want to share this with you today. Yes, it’s a tickler for the book that is coming for your Lenten season but it’s more than that – it is THE VALUE OF ONE.
Please read every word and know how very much you matter to The One who matters the most.
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Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives [welcomes] sinners and eats with them.” So He spoke this parable to them, saying: “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 has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 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 [upright] persons who need no repentance.
Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!’ Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15.1-10
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Is it not interesting and rather profound that the Lamb of God, the Righteous One, refers to His people as sheep! And, He is the shepherd of the flock! The Good Shepherd.
Because we have raised goats the parable of the lost sheep rings very authentic to me. We always knew the headcount of our goats and if one turned up missing everything else became secondary. My husband, the shepherd of the goats, would go out looking for them – first he would make sure the counted-for were penned and cared for, then he would go on the hunt. He would not stop searching until the lost one was found and safely placed back in the fold.
A coin collector, my husband oft times takes his coins out and looks at them! Checking dates and condition. IF he should drop one, he immediately gets down on his hands and knees until the one is found and back in its rightful place.
There is great value in ONE.
Jesus thought so.
The angels think so.
God thinks so.
Don’t ever think of yourself as insignificant because when you do that? You are telling God something He does not for one minute think of you. He values you. In fact, if you turn up missing-in-action? He’s going to send out the Holy Ghost search party and will not give up until He finds you. I’m so grateful He didn’t let me stay in the muddy pig sty for long – He ever so gently began showing me the way back to Him. It took a while, there was some sticky, stinky mud to wash away but I made it to His shoulders and have never let go my grip!
† Perhaps you are feeling like a lost coin, a lost sheep, or maybe even a lost child during this Lenten Season. There is never a bad time to be found; the important thing is responding to the Searcher! He’s looking and the angels are always at the ready for a happy hallelujah dance! Where are you feeling lost today? Are you resisting the manhunt? There will be NO peace until you are riding on the shoulders of The Good Shepherd, headed Home.
xo
Good Morning honey, Love, Love This about the little Lost Sheep. So Blessed , Thankful , that my Shepherd keeps his Eyes on me. Praising Our Lord this morning.
And, the lost coin. And, the lost son. And, all the lost things and people…we are of VALUE to Him.
Thank you for this, Susan. The Shepherd has been gently telling me that if I will simply follow Him, stop getting distracted and looking around, that I will spend far less time lost and confused.
He is truly the Good Shepherd.
He truly IS that and MORE!
No worries! I feel lost on Twitter almost all of the time! But, if I sense God wants me there, I just show up and trust His agenda.
Happy Wednesday, from #TellHisStory.
Megs
Megs…that’s exactly what HE told me this morning!
The sheep, The Shepherd, love it!
XO
Tammy
Thank you, test reader!
Powerful word Sestra!
Thank you, Sestra.
What a powerful message. So thankful to be seen and known by the God who values me before I lift one finger to do a thing.
And I’ve been thinking about your distress over Run with the Horses. When I read E.P.’s Reversed Thunder and Long Obedience, I read them in concert with the Scripture he was writing about — kind of like a commentary. I think I’m thinking of doing the same with Jeremiah and RWTH, and I’m wondering if that would help you get unstuck with it.
Michele, you are a smart woman.
Very powerful Sue. Lost sheep. How well we relate. Great post. For the record, I don’t know how to twitter yet! Lol
Don’t worry about it.
Susan, I feel lost on most forms of social media 🙂 You have brought the powerful reminder that we are seen by the One who loves us most. But you have also made me ask myself this … who is the one I will see or notice today? I do not want to overlook who He places in my path for reasons unknown to me. Thank you for reminding me to be other-minded. xo
That’s exactly right, Joanne. I don’t want to miss the one He puts in my path. Great point!
I love this! Plus it was a great reminder that I have a lenten devotional I should dig out.
Or wait and get mine? har har!!!
We are on the same page, today – the need to be “seen” – to not be invisible, to know He sees us, knows us – and searches for us! I cannot multi-task like so many who write, tweet et al. I’ve found I can do one or the other – but not both successfully – but God knows that AND He already knows the plan! Wishing you shalom and seen moments this week!
“seen moments” – even by the audience of ONE!
Send out a Holy Ghost search party – Love that! Such a beautiful thing to know we matter and are significant to our Shepherd.
So much so, Melody!
My word for the 2017 is Yours, and this post is great reminder of our worth and value to God. Your post reminded me of this verse. John 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
“Yours” – what a beautiful word to live and breathe this year.
oh girl, this is one of the reasons I quit blogging a bit ago..I got wrapped up in being “seen” for all the wrong reasons. I pray this go round I will keep my eyes firmly on THE One and only, my Audience of One. And oh to be carried on His shoulders, what a vision of love and care! Made my knees weak!
YES, AUDIENCE OF ONE keeps playing in my head.
The value of one was the theme of the fiction book I just read, so it’s fun to see you echoing some things I’ve already been thinking about. Love you!
Seriously? There ya go!
Yes to all of this! How amazing is it to be known and loved by The One!
How can it be?
Indeed! Thank you for this reminder friend!
It’s my job to keep us reminded!
It seems that you and your husband have first-hand knowledge about animals like sheep, Susan. I’m sure there’s a lot of worrying that goes on when one of the flock is wandering somewhere unknown and potentially dangerous. Thank you also for encouraging us to see the value we have in Christ’s view. We have no reason to feel insecure when our good Shepherd loves and cares for us!
Beth, we actually raised goats but they are similar!!!
Oh, goats.
Years ago, when we lived in Texas, Barbara and I were flagged down by two weary ranchers who asked us if we could help round up a quartet of escaped goats.
They led us on a miles-long chase through the fields, and we eventually cornered the last one in someone’s backyard. She was surrounded…and decided to make a break for it. Through me.
She would have made a great rugby player.
And this does seem to point out the vigour with which we sometimes run from Grace.
Oh my doesn’t it, Andrew? I did once.
Looking forward to your Lenten book!
ME TOO! Pray for me – this one’s tough. xo
How fun that you are exploring the beauty of Lent. Praying God encourages YOU and enriches YOU in the process!
Thank you so much, Nicki.
There’s incredible value in one! Thanks for that important reminder, Susan.
I believe we all need to be reminded of this TRUTH.
I’ve never been to a Twitter party, but I’m not much of a party person generally. I like quiet talks with one or two others rather than a roomful. But I have felt invisible in both situations, and I am so glad God sees me where I am and is with me constantly. I am glad He knows and values us individually.
Barbara H, ME TOO! It is a struggle for many, isn’t it?