Have you ever been lost at a hospital? It’s sort of a common thing for me. Almost every time I’m visiting a friend at the hospital or even a rehab center, I make a wrong turn and find myself wandering along without finding the room number I’m looking for. Or the elevator. Or the reception desk. Fortunately I must have an easily readable “I’m lost” look on my face because people with IDs around their necks are usually quick to ask if I need help for which I am forever grateful. After visiting my friend, my departing-the-facility meandering is equally in need of guidance. Once, when I was a teenager, I got separated from my fieldtrip group and ended up visiting with a woman in a corridor sitting area who was actually a patient. She told me she hadn’t had many visitors so we visited a while and actually became pen pals for a couple years. 😊 My teacher was somewhat exasperated and I was grateful to have been found eventually. But when I think back on it now, it felt like the right thing to do, to chat a few minutes with that woman. I think it was a hint from God about being gracious and receptive even when you’re the one in need of direction. Whether you are the “lost” or the “found.”
39 And when they (Joseph & Mary) had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child (Jesus) grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.
41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 43 And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day’s journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” 49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.
If those words might be said of each of us … growing in wisdom and favor with God and man … would you walk more uprightly, head held high as you seek first the Lord’s wisdom? Would you, with humility, stretch to be helpful, kind-hearted, forgiving because you know that kind of caring relationship from the Lord and those He appoints in your life? I say “Yes, yes I would.”
But sometimes I don’t. Sometimes my head is bowed low, my heart is heavy with grief or concern, or unforgiveness over even small things. But then there is a song lyric, or a verse-of-the-day, or a friend’s kind word and my heart is convicted and I remember to whom my allegiance is to be focused. Not me. Not mine. His. There is hope in nothing more than knowing to Whom you belong and honoring that in your everyday walking-around life.
When I was a child of twelve, my parents would have searched for me if I wasn’t where they thought I would be. What comfort and strengthening I find in knowing firmly that the Lord came to find me when I was truly lost and He rescued me, paid the ransom for my life here and my life eternal with Him. What an assurance to be held most precious and then shared!
As we prepare for a week to share that exact assurance with our community through VBS, I am inviting you to pray with me over every circumstance and effort.
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? Romans 5.14-15
Wonder Junction VBS Prayer prompts:
- Praise God for the invested and enthusiastic volunteers He is bringing to the VBS team.
- Pray for those who would like to help but are maybe a little hesitant. Please pray for Carin and other leaders to reach out as prompted by the Lord to invite others onto His Wonder Junction team at PCC.
- Praise God for our place to gather 75-85 children and about 50 volunteers and staff for five days in a row August 4-8. We are convinced that God has strategically placed us where we are to love our neighbors, by serving their needs, and introducing them to Jesus.
- Pray for all pieces of the planning to be God-honoring and team-building as the Lord sets the stage for children to learn about Jesus’ life from birth to death on the cross … for each who will believe!
With hope and expectation, Colleen