My Whole Life Is a God Story by Anne Wilsonნიმუში

Day Two: From Lost to Found

Jesus is the master of showing us His love through stories. Some of my favorites in the Scriptures are the parables He tells to share His love and redemption for the lost. The ones where He speaks of leaving 99 sheep to find the one who is lost…the lost son who comes home to His waiting father…and the woman who finds her lost coin. What beautiful words Jesus speaks in Luke 15:7 (NIV): “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”

Yesterday, I shared my story about loving God as big as the biggest number, but I spent years where I did not know Jesus the way I know Him today. If you have followed my testimony, you know that I was 12 when my pastor and Bible teacher invested in me, sharing the Word of God in such a way that I felt the calling of Jesus. I felt the knock at the door of my heart, and I wanted to open it and see more of Him. I wanted to become a born-again Christ follower.

In that middle school moment, I had no idea what would happen in the years to come. All I knew was that I loved Jesus, I loved His creation…and I wanted to explore more of it by working for NASA. I remember declaring to my class that I would take a mission to Mars even if it meant I would not be able to return to Earth.

In retrospect, I see the story that God has written as one much better. He always answers the prayers of our hearts in the most unexpected ways. I thought I wanted to be close to the stars, and the Lord, in His mercy and with a twist of His sense of humor…placed me in the midst of Christian and Country stars who want to shine for His glory.

I thank Jesus that when I was lost, He found me and called me. Before I even knew what the next pages held, He was there. I pray that you feel His loving presence today as He finds you and declares you worthy of His love. God always writes the best stories!

Prayer:

Jesus, for anyone who feels lost today, be their Shepherd. Speak over them and let them know that you pursue them with Truth and Love. You will chase after them as if they are a lost sheep and will rejoice over them when they are found. Thank you for never giving up on us. We love you. Amen!