Saturday, July 12
And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, "Rejoice with me for I have found my sheep that was lost."
—Luke 15:6
Depending on the importance or worth of the item, we can feel as scattered as sand on a windy day. Then, when we have nearly given up, the item shows up—it just shows up as if it had not been avoiding us all this time, and we rejoice that what was lost has finally been found.
There is an even deeper pain and greater joy when it is a relationship that is lost and found. It might be a family bond that is reconciled and restored. Or a friendship that gets back on track after a long separation. Or the new life given to one we love who has fallen into unhealthy behaviors. It feels as if the pall of gray is pulled back and the sun shines again in our soul.
Consider what it must be like for God when we get lost in the cacophony of daily life and then finally "come to ourselves." The halls of heaven must be lined with angels' songs and the great heart of God must dance with delight.
O God, keep my eyes fixed on the joy that is to be found when what has been scattered and forgotten is gathered back up in the wonder of re-union.
The Signposts for July are written by Renée Miller and originally appeared on explorefaith.org in 2004.