Today’s lesson is on the “Lost Ones”. Yesterday, like many of you, I was horrified to learn of yet another mass school shooting in the United States. 17 dead. 12 injured. Countless lives impacted. I have been praying for those lives lost and impacted. During our Ash Wednesday Service, we prayed for them. I knew today I wanted to write about it. Then it hit me. Talking about gun control doesn’t work. Talking about mental health doesn’t work. Talking about children dying doesn’t seem to help. Then I heard an interview with the mayor of Broward, Florida who is also a teacher. He talked about how his job, besides educating students, was to find ways to engage and involve students. To bring people into the fold. Those who feel apart of something are much less likely than others to commit these horrendous acts. Then he said he wasn’t always successful and those were the lost ones. That term stuck with me. I have been a lost one on many issues. Not feeling part of groups, feeling picked on, feeling underappreciated, undervalued, and always just wanting to feel the love. Yes, there are mental health issues that need to be addressed. Yes, there are gun laws that need to be addressed. But if we don’t have compassion for each other. If we don’t find ways to help our children and friends find those who may be lost, no legislation, prayer, or best wishes will help. As we talked before, when we pray, we must be willing to listen to what God is saying. What is call to action is, even if we don’t like it.

From Kim Alexander Ministries

“If you see your fellow Israelite’s ox or sheep straying, do not ignore it but be sure to take it back to its owner. If they do not live near you or if you do not know who owns it, take it home with you and keep it until they come looking for it. Then give it back. Do the same if you find their donkey or cloak or anything else they have lost. Do not ignore it.” – Deuteronomy 22:1-3

“But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.” – 1 John 2:11

We are lost sheep. We find others who are lost. Do we find them and bring them home? Do we help them? Or, do we ignore it? Do we think it’s someone else’s problem?  Are we blinded by the darkness that others are not our responsibility? We are not to live that way. Scripture is very clear that we need to help our brothers, our sisters, and our neighbors. We mustn’t leave it to the politicians, the lawyers, “the others” to solve.

Are you ready to find a “lost one”? Are you ready to help someone not become lost? Help them be part of the Lord’s house?

I am

#46of365 #FaithBites #FaithJourney