Lost & Found

Lost & found boxes.

One of the many mysteries of life.

Why is it that there are always at least 8 forgotten umbrellas in there, yet the moment you lose yours, it's not?

We won't even get into the fact that the only umbrellas in there are the ones you wish would have stayed lost.

A broken handle, a missing wire so it opens crooked, rainbow stripes or Winnie-the-Pooh.

The good umbrellas are never found.

After a conversation with an old friend from high school last night, I struggled to go back to sleep because I was reminded of a huge flaw most church leaders suffer from today.

Loving the lost.

Of course it's easy to do ministry with talented, creative, educated, Starbucks-loving people who tweet your sermon highlights.

Of course running service with a comfortable building, AC, top-of-the-line equipment and a Jesus Culture-sounding worship band is a plus.

But what happens when the people who show up to your church drove there on E, rolled their eyes when the offering plate passed by, wore a skirt that made the ushers blush, and found your 3-point message boring?

Don't misunderstand me, this is not a "gospel for the rich vs. the poor" blog post.

But it is a blog post that questions how most leaders would respond to a harsh reality.

Are you willing to leave the 99 to find the missing 1?

[Matthew 18:12-14]

Because whoever told you it was ok to watch people walk away, and/or make mistakes so they figure it out on their own, doesn't understand the value in discipleship.

They lied to you.

And they also have clearly forgotten how love works.

When you genuinely love someone, you desire the absolute best for them.

And yes, at times that does require you to let go, but I'm pretty sure it's after you've exhausted all other options.

After you've reminded them God's grace is available.

That forgiveness is a prayer away.

That they are well worth your time.

And that you love them enough to actually care.

I'm convinced more and more everyday that as a church, we need to get back to basics.

Love people enough to lead them back to Christ.

No matter how frustrating, time-consuming or emotionally exhausting it can be.

After all, it's only by God's grace that we are here.

We were lost and now we're found.

Let's not leave others stranded, go back and find them.

It's their only hope. And ours too.

JV