"So he told them this parable: 'What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost." Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.'" Luke 15:3-7
When my sisters and I were little, we had a little go-cart. It was a single seater, and it was the most amazing thing ever. My sisters and I would spend hours and hours and gallons and gallons of gas driving that go-cart around our circle drive. One time we were having a family reunion. I was 6 or 7 years old, and my little sister, Kari, was 4 or 5. Since Kari was so small, she had never had the chance to drive the go-cart by herself. She always sat in someone's lap and "helped" drive.
Well, on the second day of the reunion, we were all out in front taking turns driving the go-cart. Kari stepped out and announced that she wanted to drive it by herself. Hesitant at first, my parents decided that they would let her. So my dad went and sat Kari in the seat, showed her which pedal made it go and which pedal made it stop, and then he said, "Now, Kari, when you get up to that curve, you just turn the wheel this way. I'll be up there telling you which way to go. Okay?" Kari shook her head vigorously. She was ready for the ride of her life.
Beyond the first curve was a terrace. In order to protect the cotton from the wind, my dad and grandpa had planted wheat on each terrace. The wheat was probably between 3 and 4 feet high.
Everyone got their cameras out. Dad went to the other side of the first curve. My uncle started up the go-cart. It was go time. Kari slammed on the gas, and she was off. As she approached the first curve, you could see Dad starting to motion to her to start turning the wheel...but she didn't turn the wheel. Kari kept on going straight. Next thing you knew, Kari and the go-cart were disappearing into the wheat on the terrace. They were gone. Next thing you heard was Mom scream and a collective gasp from everyone else. Dad immediately ran into the wheat. Next thing you knew, he was emerging with Kari in his arms, fragments of wheat sticking out of her hair and tears streaming down her face.
A few days later, we were sitting at the bar in the kitchen. Kari and I were eating, and all of a sudden she slammed her hands down on the counter. My mom was startled and asked, "What is it, Kari? What's wrong?" My little sister looked up at my mom with wide eyes and said, "Momma! I just forgot to turn!!"
As I think about these two stories, the selection from Luke and the infamous "Kari and the go-cart" story, I think about something they have in common: Getting lost.
Have you ever been a lost sheep? I know that I have. Have you ever forgotten to turn and ended up lost in the great wilderness of wheat? I definitely have.
As I think about these two stories, I think about the common theme of getting lost, but I also think of another thing they have in common: Being found.
Maybe you're a little lost right now. Maybe something has happened, and you can't quite understand it. Maybe you are heartbroken, and you don't know where to turn. Maybe you are so caught up in guilt and shame that you don't know if you'll ever see the Light again. Maybe you've strayed off from the herd. Maybe you've forgotten to turn.
You know what's wonderful? God meets us where we're at. We get lost, and He comes to find us. We forget to turn, and he comes and rescues us from the scary wilderness of wheat. And he is SO happy when we allow him to do so. No questioning. No reprimanding. Just pure love. He pursues us relentlessly. He loves us that much.
When his sheep are lost, he goes to find them. He is the good shepherd, and he lays down his life for his sheep. (John 10:11)
Even when he's on the other side of the curve, showing us when to turn, he doesn't get mad when we don't. He runs and finds us. Daddy comes to pick us up.
I am in awe of that love. I am in awe as I try to type about it. Unending love. Amazing grace, my friends.
May that love wrap you up at this very moment. If you're lost, let him find you. Let him meet you where you're at.
Peace be with you :o)
Oh...and just for smiles...here's a picture of Dad holding Kari. That's probably about the age Kari was when the go-cart incident happened. :)
