Reclaimed

Don't you hate it when you misplace something?

You search everywhere, retrace your steps, question your sanity, and answer the helpful inquiry, "Where did you last have it?" (Um, hello, if I knew that, it wouldn't be lost).

I notice losing stuff seems to happen more when I am in a state of panic or severe stress.

I've also noticed that my precious item usually returns to me once I rest and stop obsessing about it.

Oh, the joy when you find what you have lost!  

As soon as you find it, you're like oh yeah, now I remember putting it there.

This got me thinking about how we can find ourselves lost sometimes.

I can look back, not all that far, and remember moments when I felt like that lost item.

I was lost in a dark and desolate place and felt utterly alone.

I wasn't sure if anyone would ever find me or if they were even looking for me at all.

I felt lost, alone, stuck, and surrounded by voices that convinced me no one cared or was coming to save me.   

But then I heard Jesus' voice calling out, "Get away from her; she's MINE!"

He was looking for me the whole time.

I will never, ever, ever, like ever, forget that moment.

Jesus never stopped looking for me.

And He never stopped looking for you.

And now, here we are, God's reclaimed precious ones.

Back home with Him, safe and sound.

And what joy fills God's heart when we are back safely in His arms!

It feels amazing to know that God, the one who created everything, loves us so much that He will search the darkest corners and the deepest pits to find His precious ones.

Nothing you can do will ever keep God from reclaiming what is His - You.

Jesus loves you so much that He was willing to sacrifice life itself to defend, redeem, and reclaim you.

You are loved, you are found, and you are redeemed.

You are reclaimed and back where you belong.

Welcome home, you precious, precious pookie schmoopie.

Welcome home.

Now, where the heck did I put my keys?

1 Peter 5:10

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast. 

Luke 15: 3-7

Then Jesus told them this parable: "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? And 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.

Luke 19:10

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.