Lost!

That which was lost was not an 'I', but an 'it'.

In fact it wasn't just an 'it' that was lost but an 'IT it'!

Yesterday morning, I could not find my favourite and most useful memory stick. I use it most days, to transfer files from one computer to another, and this particular 'IT it' has made my life much easier. But this 'IT it' was lost. And because it was lost, I was feeling very lost as well.

I knew that I had had it on Sunday, and I recalled where I had last used it. 

By searching through the papers on my desk - an interesting experience - and going through the assorted pockets in the clothes I was wearing on Sunday evening failed to produce what I looking for. The longer it was lost, the more lost I felt, as I wished to do some work on some of the files that were saved onto that memory stick!

When, for the third or fourth time, I explored the pockets in my fleece, there it was! I felt relieved and rather foolish, as much time and effort had been wasted in the combined lostness of the memory stick and me. But it reminded me of the stories that Jesus told.

' “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbours, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away! ' (Luke 15.4-7)

While losing memory sticks is frustrating, Jesus reminds me and the rest of us that many people are also very lost. 

We are all surrounded by many friends and family members who are lost in that they don't know Jesus personally, and are in the dark about eternal issues. But help is at hand, especially when the friends of Jesus help their lost friends to find Him and in so doing, they are found by the Good Shepherd. As our slogan at St. Andrew's says, our aim is 'To know Jesus better, and so to make Him better known'.

At the end of this month, on 30th September, 'Back to Church Sunday' provides an opportunity for any of us to invite friends to give church attendance a try. Next month, our Christianity Explored course will start, and this has proved a great way for people to discover who Jesus is, and why He came. 

And all of us can play our part in helping the lost get found. How exciting!
Best wishes,

Richard