The urgency of the search

Last Sunday in The Alley we focused on the story of the prodigal son from the point of forgiving those you love.  However, as I read Luke 15 again today, I was moved by a different perspective. While the father watch diligently & hopefully for his son to come back, the son's return was of his own doing.  The verses that precede this story speak of intentionally searching out what is lost.  

Have you ever lost your child in a store?  Once, I had Ethan and my niece in the Rain Forest Cafe gift shop.  She was much younger, so I was holding her hand and giving her most of my attention. In a split second I looked up and couldn't see Ethan anywhere.  I yelled his name several times with no response sending me into instant panic mode.  Now, in that moment, nothing else mattered outside of finding my son.  Thankfully, he was on the other side of a giant pile of stuffed animals in his own little world and did not hear me calling his name.

I will never forget the urgency I felt.  I had to know where he was right now!  As I read the first part of Luke 15 today, I thought about who in my life was lost.  How much time have I spent searching out friends or family who are lost?  Matt said Sunday that if we pray for God to open the door for relationship, He will.  Tuesday, God opened a great door for Megan and I with a classmate and her mom.  As the door opens to that relationship, may I feel the urgency to seek what is lost.  To do more than build a friendship, but to help someone find their path that leads to a Father who is waiting with open arms.