Luke 15:3-7 3Then Jesus told them this parable: 4“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. (NIV)
When our boys were young a favorite vacation spot was Wildwood, New Jersey. We had friends that owned a hotel there, so we would often go to their place for a week of fun in the sun. When we first began going to the Surfrider we were pretty inexperienced beach-goers. One very sunny day on the beach (before sun screen) I was out there too long having too much fun and not paying attention to the beautiful red glow I was experiencing! It may have been because I had something else on my mind.
It was early afternoon and the boys were playing on the sand. We were up further on dryer land. Before long our oldest came walking back to the blanket-by himself. I asked, “where is your little brother?” His answer, “right there.” He was pointing to some obscure spot on the beach among hundreds (exaggeration) sitting all over the beach. How was I to see a small 4-year-old boy? I asked again, with a more emphatic voice…” Aaron, where is your brother?” He calmly stated again, “right there” as he pointed to the ocean. I could feel anxiety rising!
I searched standing where I was, no Eliot. I moved closer, holding my hand over my eyes to shield the sun-no Eliot. I ran back to the blanket and summoned my husband that I could not find our baby! He became engaged in the search. The worst thoughts were running through my head. I began quietly imploring God to show me where my baby was! With no time to lose I went to the life guard and told him. In less time than it took for me to call Eliot again, I saw small flags going up on each life guard chair, indicating ‘lost child’. As the reality of that set in I began to panic! We described what Eliot was wearing and his size and hair color. Then we took Aaron and had him show us exactly where he left his brother. Of course, by now, he was disoriented and he walked to an area that other children had claimed. The entire beach line looked like the place he left Eliot.
Finally, the life guard drove up with a dune-buggy rescue vehicle. My husband went with him, Aaron and I stayed back and searched. Now with a dune buggy involved my anxiety level was through the roof. But, it wasn’t long before a small sand covered little boy with yellow hair and a big grin came walking toward me! I screamed! Eliot! Hallelujah, you are ok! Where were you?
He turned toward the beach sand said, “right there.” I grabbed him with all my might, getting myself covered with the scratchy sand. He had no idea why I was acting this way. We did tell him later.
Soon the dune-buggy returned, we had a joyful reunion, and, all the flags went down!
I had a whole new appreciation for the story in Luke 15 about the lost sheep. Of course Jesus was referring to a ‘lost sinner.’ Someone who had the Father so upset because he had strayed away from the Godly path that He would search until that sinner returned to a relationship with the Father. I knew how I felt thinking of the possibility of Eliot being lost to the ocean waves. My heart hurts now even thinking of it, and he is a healthy 40-year-old! Imagine how Father God feels when one of us who knew Him, turns and walks away. It is hard for me to believe that someone who had the comfort, care and promise of Heaven, would walk away from it. It’s the best deal anywhere ever.
This little anecdote of a day at the beach comes back to me when I hear of people who make the choice to walk away from God. I wonder, what are they walking too?
If you have walked away it’s not too late to turn around and walk back. He waits with arms wide open, and no questions asked, even if you are soiled and sandy, He wants you back! It’s easy, just look, He’s ‘right there.’
This little anecdote of a day at the beach comes back to me when I hear of people who make the choice to walk away from God. I wonder, what are they walking too?
If you have walked away it’s not too late to turn around and walk back. He waits with arms wide open, and no questions asked, even if you are soiled and sandy, He wants you back! It’s easy, just look, He’s ‘right there.’
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