Parable of the Lost Sheep
“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than the ninety-nine that didn’t wander away! In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish” -Matthew 18:12-14
The sheep in this parable is a metaphor for the people in the world. Those who walk in darkness and live without Jesus are lost, but it doesn’t mean they are not loved or cared for by Christ. Just as the man leaves to search for the one lost sheep, so to does The Lord seek those who have left him. God will send people, signs or thoughts into the hearts of those who have wandered in hopes of reclaiming His people. Every individual in existence is special to God, simply because He created them. The world or people around us can make us feel unworthy, or unloved but it’s important to know that God does not view us in a worldly way. When God created us, his intentions were to live with Him, not without Him. If you are the lost sheep, just know, Jesus is on his way, but ultimately it’s up to you to accept or deny him.
As believers, not only do we have a responsibility to live faithfully to God’s word and His will, but we must also be there for others, especially if they are not believers. It is not our place to judge people with our worldly perceptions rather we must see every individual as a child of God, because they are. Regardless of their words or ways, God does not love them any less than he loves you. It is our role to encourage and uplift those who are lost, reminding them of God’s love, grace and mercy. If they do not hear it from us, who will they hear it from? There are many false prophets in the world and The Devil lurks, but since we are made right within Christ we can help others become right with him also. Let us lead by example and help those in need. People have experienced trauma in their past which has shaped their views on God, but it is simply because they do not know who God truly is. Allow God to work within you and leave the ninety-nine and to find the one that has wandered.
If you know someone who is struggling in their faith, I encourage you to apply patience. Continue to pray for them and have faith that the Holy Spirit will work in their hearts. God’s time is the right time all the time. God loves them more than anything and will do everything in His power to bring them into His Kingdom. However, you are God’s handiwork. You are His hands and feet on this earth. If you stop praying for them, who will be praying? If you stop loving them, how will they experience the love of Christ? If you give up on them, how can they continue to believe in themselves? God never sleeps nor slumbers and is working actively everyday. Have faith and keep on praying! Eventually, something within them will click, and they will be lead out of darkness. Praise God!