Lost and Found

“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10.

My family and I were shopping Korean food down at the cities during the weekend. I get really excited when we shop at that market. I mean, it’s Korean food! I feel overjoyed to know that our kitchen would be well supplied with Korean food at least for the next few weeks. I reached into my pocket for my wallet to pay, but it wasn’t there! I freaked out. I looked all over the floor, went through the aisles, came back out to the car and looked all over. I couldn’t find it. All sorts of thoughts went through my mind. I was about to call the credit card companies to report my loss. I reached for my phone and guess what, my wallet was in the pocket of my inner shirt I was wearing. I felt foolish, but I was relieved to find it on me!

When I was a little boy, my mom lost me once in the market. Back in the days, Korean markets weren’t like Walmart or Super 1 market. It was outdoors crowded with people. It was like a farmer’s market with thousands of people all over the place. Mom was paying attention to something else but then I guess I slipped out. She panicked at the thought that she couldn’t find me. She looked all over the market place and eventually mom had found me. Imagine the fear and joy she must have felt through the experience.

I wonder if that was how God felt when He lost us. And the joy He feels when He finds us again. Perhaps that’s why we read the three parables in Luke 15: the parables of the lost sheep, lost coin, and the prodigal son. Lost-and-found. There is great rejoicing in heaven when we are found again. God our Father is truly happy to have us back. Praise God!