As I flew to the first camp of the season, my luggage did not. I was lost. And even though it wasn’t lost forever, it was still lost. So here I was, with the clothes on my back and a backpack with a computer and some books...that’s it. No toothbrush or toothpaste. No change of clothes (underwear anyone?!?!). Nothing. I was frustrated, angry, and at my wits in as I talked to the airline (who handled the whole ordeal quite well) when my mind drifted to a piece of scripture where something else was lost. It was a parable of Jesus which can be found in Luke 15:
“Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “this man receives sinners and eats with them.” 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 open country, and go after the one that 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 that was lost.” Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”
There are many lost people out there. There are many lost people at camp. I know because I was one of them, totally lost in this world even though I never knew it. But, God reached out. He went after me even though I was just one sheep out of many. When He found me, He rejoiced. Now that is a powerful thought.
You see, we are all kind of like lost luggage. We all have things we carry. Some of these things are heavy and a deep burden. Some of them are lighter. Some of our luggage is uncomfortable. Some is bulky. We all like luggage carry these things and get dragged around through life. Before we even realize it, we end up just like my luggage for camp…..lost. This is why the parable of the lost sheep is so awesome. We don’t have to be lost forever. We don’t have to carry around big heavy burdens. Jesus wants to find you and take all of that extra baggage off of you. Regardless of what you are carrying or how lost you are, Jesus loves you. He wants you. He accepts you. Nothing is too big, or too bad, or too lost.
The airline did finally return my luggage, and I now have a greater appreciation for clean clothes. I also was reminded that no matter where we are on our journey of faith: lost, on the way, or found, we can be sure that God is for us. He is for us so much that He didn’t sit back and wait for us to figure things out. Instead, He pursued us by sending His one and only Son so that we wouldn’t have to bear our own luggage anymore. I hope that you will trust Him enough to find you and handle your luggage for you.
I guess it’s now time to change and brush the teeth….it’s only been 2 days after all!!
Until Next Time,
The Intern
