Lost and Found

The other day I was at work and looked down to see that my wedding band was missing from my finger. I usually never take it off, so I was shocked to see it missing. I immediately checked my pockets, then the floor.....then the entire building where I work. Along with many of my co-workers, neighbors and my wife we tore apart every area that I had graced with my presence that day.....to no avail. We didn't find my lost ring.

That night after feeling as depressed as I had in a while, my wife and I decided to put this horrible day behind us and turn in for the night. As we turned the bed down, out popped my ring!! Obviously I had taken it off in my sleep and never realized it was missing until around 4:45 that afternoon. At the same time, feeling like a fool and someone who just found a treasure, I hugged my wife and exclaimed, "THANK YOU GOD!" I was very happy to have found my lost item. It set forth many thoughts running through my head that night as I lay trying to sleep with a big adrenaline rush going on.

I thought about how much I valued the ring and how badly I felt that it was possibly gone for good. I mean, I know that my ring is just a symbol of my marriage and that a ring can be replaced. However, I was still pretty upset about loosing it. Then I thought, how upset or concerned do I get over those around me every day that are lost, without hope in Jesus Christ? The answer shocked me. God was showing me that He values each person, and is very concerned that some are lost and not believers in him. It's not about an eternal home in the sky one day as much as it is about abundant life here and now. God wants us to value those who are lost on this pathway of life, who don't know him...and he has placed us in their lives to make a difference.

The friends who stayed and helped me look for my ring long after it was time for them to go home, and neighbors who drove (with metal detectors in hand) to my work to help search the grounds for my ring are true friends and they showed me how much they valued me, by helping me search for my ring. We, as followers of Christ, must be intentional in our "search" for those who are lost and help them to find their way home. I value each and every human soul, and I want to make more of a difference in "my world" by sharing what a joy it truly is to "know Christ and the power of his resurrection" with those placed in my sphere of influence each day.

May we all seek to help the Lost become Found!