Greatness: Matthew 14-20Sample

Two years ago, I lost a bottle of perfume. I had it for about two months, I took it on holiday, it grew legs, and I never saw it again. A month later, I remembered I had it at a hotel, and called them to check, but of course, even if I had left it there, it was no longer around. I am still not quite over it. When I think of it, I get a bit sad. It wasn’t extraordinarily expensive, but it was special to me. It’s funny; every now and then, I still look in my bathroom just in case it magically appears [spoiler: it hasn’t] or I did a boy-look every other time.

Some lost things can’t be found. They are where Mary Poppins calls “the place where the lost things go”. But lost to God does not have a physicality about it. Rather, it is a state; a state of separation from Him, and closing that gap is important to God. God doesn’t forget, or lose, or misplace. He pursues, He knows, and He always finishes what He starts. Isn’t that such a relief? The God of the universe is so powerful that nothing is impossible for Him. Yet, He is so personal that if one sheep wanders off, He will bring them back and ensure they are not only included but kept safe.

There is a line in a song that is unfortunately so easy to sing: “Prone to wander, Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love.” He knows this about His sheep. That is why He is not just a shepherd, but He is the Good Shepherd.

Today, ponder this: What are the areas in your life where you feel prone to wander? What would it look like for you to actively seek God in that space and invite Him in?