By Rhonda Stinson
The sky is falling, the ground is quaking, and both sides are closing in. This is the depiction of how my Monday began.
I lost my only set of car keys over the weekend and had to depend on my parents for an automobile. (If this had happened a month ago, I would’ve had a backup car, but that option was off the table because I had wrecked that car and insurance deemed it totaled.) Then my brother called with news that he was in the hospital because he had some issues with his heart. In addition to all of that, my dog escaped out the front door, my blood sugar level was off the charts, and I had a terrible cold. I was stressed out!!!
By Wednesday I still hadn’t found my car keys. I called a couple of locksmiths who told me I’d have to get the car towed to them so they could make a new fob for it. I found a company that makes house calls, but spent two days just trying to get a tech to call me back. That same night I reached out to my Bible study prayer team and asked them to pray that God would lead me to the lost key. After I hung up, I stood in front of my parents and proclaimed, “I called on the prayer team to pray and when they pray, things happen!”
By Thursday evening, the key was still missing. I was depressed over the thought of not having my own vehicle to use and the trouble and time it would take in getting a new key.
Reluctant and discouraged, I began getting ready for a Christmas banquet. I was physically and emotionally drained and even planned on coming home early from the banquet. As I leaned forward against the sink to put on eyeliner, I felt something poke me in the stomach. I reached in my vest pocket and pulled out the missing key. Screeching and jumping as high as I could, I rejoiced over the found key. My dad said he’s never seen me so happy. There is no emoticon in the entire world that could illustrate this type of joy!!!
Luke 15:8-10 is a parable about a woman who has ten silver coins and loses one. She searches her entire house in search of the coin and doesn’t give up until she finds it. When she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together to rejoice with her.
Luke 15:3-7 is a parable about a shepherd who has one hundred sheep and loses one of them. When he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and carries it home. He then calls his friends and neighbors to rejoice with him.
I had never realized that finding what was lost could be such a joyful experience. Rejoicing in dancing, singing, and shouts of joy to the God of glory.
Christmas is a time to think about the lost being found. Christ came to earth to be born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit. This baby grew as a normal human does, shared the gospel, and died. But it didn’t end there. The sinless Jesus Christ rose again, conquering sin and death, and giving humanity the greatest gift of all, salvation. Each person (the lost) who repents of their sins and accepts Christ as his or her personal Savior becomes a new creation (the found).
The Bible says that even the angels greatly rejoice when a lost sinner is found. I can’t even imagine the holy celebration that occurs in heaven when a person accepts the gift of salvation. The challenge this Christmas is to share the gospel. There are so many different ways to do this, so be creative! “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy” (Matthew 2:10).
Looking for a way to connect with God daily? Check out our daily devotional books. (They make great gifts too!): Living in Truth Day by Day *** Living in Truth Mind, Body, Spirit *** Living in Truth: A Christmas Devotional
