AUGUST 10, Luke 19:10

As Rachel stood and looked around the mall, she cried as if her heart was broken. “Are you lost?” someone asked her. “Y-yes.” Rachel sobbed as she nodded her head.

She knew the man talking to her was a security guard – her mother had ever pointed him out to her. “If you ever get lost,” her mother had said, “ask a security guard for help. Don’t go with anyone else!” “Will you take me to the information counter?” asked Rachel with tears.

“Sure,” said the guard with a smile. Rachel clung tightly to his hand as he led her to the information counter. Then, her description was given over the loudspeaker.

Rachel’s mother soon came hurrying down the hallway, with tears in her eyes. “Oh, honey,” said Mom as she knelt down to hug her daughter, “I’m so glad to see you! I’ve been looking everywhere for you!” She turned to thank the security guard for his help, then taking Rachel’s hand, they left the mall. “I’m like the little sheep you read about in my Bible storybook last night,” decided Rachel as they drove home. “We both got lost, and that little sheep must have been scared, just like me. I was so scared all by myself.” “I know,” said Mom. A moment later she added, “You know what?

Everyone is a little like you.” “Is everybody lost?” Rachel asked.

“Until they know Jesus, they are,” replied Mom. “The sheep strayed away from the shepherd, and the Bible says everyone has strayed from God – everybody does wrongful things. The shepherd went to search for the lost sheep, and Jesus came to earth to find and save lost boys and girls, men and women.”

“One day, after Sunday school, I told Jesus I was sorry because I was naughty and had sinned, and I asked Him to save me,” said Rachel soberly, “and He did, didn’t He?”

“That’s right,” agreed Mom. “And He was glad, wasn’t He?” asked Rachel with a smile, “Just like you were glad when you found me!” Mom smiled, too. “Oh, yes!” she replied. “There’s joy in Heaven whenever a lost sheep is found.”

Thought: Have you thought of yourself as someone who is lost? That is what you are if you do not know Jesus as your Saviour. But He came to this earth to find you — to “seek and to save” you.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank Thee that I won’t be lost anymore, if I put my trust in the Lord Jesus today! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.