Our human nature makes us wander. We are constantly impatient, unsatisfied, and looking for more. The sin that has tainted our hearts has made us insatiable to the point where it’s very challenging to stay true to the path God has paved before us. As we go along, we are fighting off constant temptations on every side that make us wander every which way.
No matter how we stray from the path God has planned for us, He still pursues us. In Luke 15, Jesus tells an important story. It’s the story of a shepherd who has 100 sheep. One of the sheep strays from the group, and what does the shepherd do? He leaves the 99 to go find the one that strayed. And just look what happens when he finds the sheep.
In Luke 15:5-7, Jesus says, “When he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I 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.”
The Gospel is like that. No matter how many times we stray from the faith, God still pursues us. The love and truth of the Gospel are always there. God doesn’t abandon us and leave us to our own devices. He stops what He’s doing to find us and bring us own. That’s how great and powerful His love is for us.
God’s love is unconditional. He meets you where you are. You don’t have to be perfect to have a personal relationship with God. In fact, that’s impossible. Jesus lived the only perfect human life that was ever lived. God loves you, with every flaw and blemish. What’s beautiful about God’s love is that He desires nothing more than to take you from where you are to where He has called you to be.
In your relationship with Him, you can realize the fullness of the potential He has placed within you. He wants to wrap you in His loving arms and carry you home as the shepherd did with his precious sheep.
You can write the Pastor at pastorbilly@findtruelife.com.