Lost and Found

I went to Timmins a week ago to help a church reach out to their community and show the love of God. It was a great time of stretching and growing!

I heard something on the way home that really made me think:

"How do you know you are lost if you have never been found?"

I have been around church all my life. Jesus came into my heart at the age of 11. So in a way, I don't know what it is like to be lost.

But the more I thought about it, I realized I do know what it is like to be lost.
I know what it is like to be without hope, to have a life filled with broken relationships, emptiness, unfulfilled dreams and expections, depression, anger, hatred, bitterness and unforgiveness. Everyone on the planet is in the same boat as me. They have experienced the same hurts and disappointments in some way or another.

But how would I know a better way if I had never experienced it?

I know what it is like to be far away from God and His presence, but that's because I have experienced times where I have been close to Him and times where I have been far, far away from Him. I know what it is like to have a broken life and a life filled with peace, grace and love! So I do know what it is like to be lost! And found.

So as much as I think I may not be able to relate to people and their situations, I can. I will live my life with a greater awareness of those hurting and in need of "finding". God has been so good to me. How can I not share what He has done for me?!

"The Son of Man came to look for and to save people who are lost.”
-Luke 19:10 CEV

"I bless God every chance I get; my lungs expand with His praise. I live and breathe God; if things aren't going well, hear this and be happy: Join me in spreading the news; together let's get the word out. God met me more than halfway, He freed me from my anxious fears. Look at Him; give Him your warmest smile. Never hide your feelings from Him. When I was desperate, I called out, and God got me out of a tight spot. Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see— how good God is. Blessed are you who run to Him."     
-Psalm 34:1-6,8 The Message