I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a little boy so excited! Steven was seven years old, and we were headed to Disney World! It was his first time on an airplane, his first time sleeping in a hotel, and his first time seeing Mickey Mouse in person. My video camera was fully charged and poised to capture those precious memories.
But when we go back and watch the old video, it doesn’t start out as I had planned. We’re in some type of welcoming center where children are running around climbing on various objects, crawling through tunnels, and swinging from monkey bars. As the “movie” comes into view, the first thing I see is my husband, Steve, running toward the camera, his face growing larger and larger until it fills the screen.
“Where’s Steven,” he cries. “I can’t find him anywhere! Where is he?”
Then the screen goes blank.
What a way to start our vacation! Steven had wandered away, climbed into one of those tunnels, and had yet to emerge. We panicked. Who wants to lose their kid at Disney World?
Of course, we found him. He had no idea he was even lost.
Ah, did that last sentence give you pause? He had no idea he was even lost…
When God created Adam and Eve, He placed them in a garden much more exciting than Disney World. In the Garden of Eden, all their needs were cared for and all their desires were fulfilled. But Satan came along and convinced Eve that God was holding out on her. That there was more to her perfect life in communion and union with God. If she would simply break one little rule, eat of the forbidden tree of the knowledge of good and evil, she could be like God—wouldn’t even need Him anymore.
Eve bought the lie and disobeyed. Then she gave it to her husband who was standing right beside her, and he ate it, too. We know the rest of the story. They were lost.
Suddenly the scene changes. Rather than harmony with God, nature, and each other, we see fear, shame, and doubt. So, they hid from God. God walks through the garden and doesn’t see his children. Then He asked the first question that is recorded in the Bible…Where are you?
Girlfriend, it was the first question in the Bible, but it runs like a scarlet thread all the way to the end of Revelation. Where are you?
Steven was lost and didn’t even know it…his daddy found him.
The Bible tells us, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10 NIV). We were lost and didn’t even know it…our heavenly Father found us because He loves us.
So, that’s the question I want to leave with you today. Where are you? How’s your relationship with God? No matter what you’ve done, no matter how far you’ve strayed from His perfect plan for your life, He is always in pursuit of you.
All you have to do is come out from hiding and say…Here I am, Lord.
Dear Father, I am so thankful that You sought me—that You came looking for me. Sometimes I get the idea that I sought You—that I had something to do with my salvation. But You were pursuing me all along. All I did was answer Your call. Thank You for calling my name and saving me from my lostness. May I never stray far from Your presence again. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Have you ever lost one of your children? How did that make you feel?
Did the child know he or she was lost, or were they happily meandering along? How did you feel when you found him or her?
Now, how do you think God feels when we are united with Him? Leave a comment and let’s share.
What are the next steps once you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior? I offer an easy-to-understand booklet with simple steps to grow in your relationship with God. This is a perfect gift for someone newly “found.” And that might be you! Click here for more info.
NEW! This is my story This is my song Cuff Bracelet. Just in time for Mother’s Day!
© 2023 by Sharon Jaynes. All rights reserved.
Comments 22
Thank you God for finding me when I am lost.
My son in law murdered my precious baby girl. I am trying to reconcile the idea that he is a child of God and is lost. But it is hard. I want justice. But the Holy Spirit wants me to pray for his salvation. God help me..
Oh dear Verna, I am so so sorry to hear of this horrible tragedy. My heart breaks for you as you walk through this terrible grief; and I pray for Our heavenly Father to comfort you and give you His peace, and strength to face each day, as only He can. Praying you sense His closeness and His arms around you.
Praying for you, Verna. I can’t imagine your pain.
I understand how you feel. My sister’s husband molested my daughter. He is now her exhusband. And we have not gotten any legal justice and may not. And I am having trouble with the fact that I need to forgive him. I am at a loss.
Big hugs to you, Verna!! I am so sorry.
I am praying for you, Verna. My heart as a mother is broken over your great loss. I pray that you find peace.
So sorry to hear..it hurts a lot I can imagine..my prayers and condolences to you and your family.
Wow Sharon. This one hit me hard today. I have been going through a challenging season with my teenage daughter. I am a single Mom and the dad isn’t in the picture. Over the last few years things have deteriorated to the point that she is living with my Mom for now. This is the last thing I wanted to happen because I struggled with my Mom as a teen when she was raising me as a young single Mom and I too ended up living with relatives temporarily when we didn’t get along. When she was home and really all her life I prayed with my daughter daily, went to church, did devotionals, Bible studies, fasted and prayed. It wasn’t until my daughter expressed how she felt that I had mistreated her at times that I realized I was so busy going through the motions and in survival mode that I missed the mark of connecting to her heart as a child of God. I was so focused on getting through each day, paying bills, and doing homework and trying to survive. I finally talked with someone and in my mid 40’s was diagnosed with ADD which explained some life long struggles and the treatment has helped significantly. Now I really know the meaning of the verse in 1 Corinthians about doing so much of this and that but if you don’t do it in love you are just a clanging symbol. I was lost! I was parenting the way I was parented which was with a lot of frustration from stress, but my Mom was just a kid when she had me so she didn’t know any better either. I am praying to break the cycle and really love and extend grace as it has been extended to me. I am learning new ways to live and move forward and rebuilding our home on a solid foundation. I am still a work I progress but I am so thankful I realized how lost I was when all the while I really thought I was on the right path. I pray to humble myself before God, confess and allow him to mold me into who He wants me to be. Thank you God for saving a wretch like me. Amen 🙏🏾
We are all doing the best we can with the knowledge we have at any given point.. you we’re doing your best at the time. Pray that you can have a connecting time with your daughter and apologize. It please give yourself some grace.
Yes, I had two different events that a child was lost. 1. Joseph was 1 yr old We were at a park in Central Phoenix, busy intersection all around the park when he just disappeared. Family and friends hunted desperately for him. He was found happy as can be in the bathroom, he had decided out of the blue to be potty trained.
He had no idea the panic and fear he caused, and he was very proud of his journey.
I thank God every day it pleased Him to find me. I wouldn’t have survived without Him. I’m grateful for the desire He put in my heart for Him. Thank you for this devotion it uplifted my heart today.
Thank you Sharon! Yes I was lost, but now I am found!!! Thanks be to God! I am found!
Juselda Brown
April 18, 2023, At 6:45 pm
I was lost but God found I am so glad he did….thank be to God.
I’m grateful for God drawing me near to Him. I was once was lost and now am found.
I have personally struggled to know God but unbelief sets in,please help me.Immaculate
Immaculate, I prayed for you to find true faith and know Jesus personally. Read the Bible and keep praying, God always reveals himself to those who want to know Him. The book of John is a good place to begin reading.
Wow, Sharon, that was eye opening! I’m crying, my Abba Father found me. Thank you, Jesus, for your amazing love and forgiveness toward us all.
Thank you for such a wonderful story that is so relatable! I am always grateful for all you bless us with!!
Thank you Father for always coming after me
I love you emails. As a senior, could you make the print larger for me to read?
Thank you and God Bless!
Author
You can make the print larger on you device.