“Two of our women are missing!” Concern tinged the voice of the lady who had just walked up to our table. “They didn’t come back with the rest of the group. I hope something hasn’t happened to them!”
I’d traveled to Pittsburgh a couple of weeks ago to speak at an event for women from several Methodist churches. The conference was at a retreat center with a beautiful pond that was surrounded by forestland.
During the breakout session, conferees could go for a prayer walk on the trail through the woods. Some stayed together, and others took advantage of the benches along the way to pray and worship before time for lunch.
We’d almost finished eating when the news arrived that two of the women hadn’t returned from the prayer walk. Women joined hands to pray for the missing. Retreat center employees set out on ATVs, and others went to search for them.
Worry was evident, and then word finally arrived, “The lost women have been found. They’re freshening up, and they’ll be down in a few minutes. ”
There was such joy when those ladies walked into the room. Tears were evident on many faces as they rejoiced that all was well.
I was struck by the spiritual significance of what had just happened. You see, isn’t that exactly what we should be doing for our loved ones who don’t know God?
Think about what happened that day. Someone was lost. Their friends prayed with tears in their eyes. They went out and searched for the ones who were lost—and they didn’t give up until they were safe and all was well.
Do you have loved ones who need to meet God? Don’t give up until they’re safely home.
Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost! (Luke 15:6)
