THAT WHICH WAS LOST IS FOUND !

A month ago our little Chihuahua-Rat Terrier mix dog was lost. The townhouse office called me to give me the news that they had opened the door and she ran out. They sounded helpful but made clear that while they would help, they and wanted us to come and look for her. By the time I got home there were several from the maintenance crew searching for her. After three hours of searching had passed by, and still no signs of our little dog, they offered to create a poster. Copies were made and we and proceeded to hang them EVERYWHERE. Even the Hilltown Police were on the lookout for Leia. For the next couple of days, I walked through neighborhoods with Leia’s favorite toy squeaking and calling out her name.

Following 5 days of futile searching, I had given up. Our family was devastated. Morning and evening routines were difficult without our dog, silly as it sounds, we were missing a “member” of our family and it was heart wrenching.

After a week of awful weather, lots of rain (which we had none of all summer), no sleep, completely given up on ever finding my dog. I heard it said that if a dog’s lost for more than 48 hours there’s an 11% chance that the dog will ever be found.

Poster in a Tokyo subway station

Harold got a phone call from a “stranger” saying she was in the post office and saw a poster saying “Found...little dog etc...” Well the lady who saw the poster had seen the posters that our town house office had put up matching the description. Yes, a stranger had taken my dog in and cared for her until her home was found and even went to the trouble of placing notices around town.

I thought how desperately I had searched for my little dog. How strangers; kids in the neighborhood etc were all looking for this lost lovable creature.

As a Christian, do I as desperately seek out my own neighbors, people at work, family members, and others who are lost and haven’t found a home in Christ. My neighbors, my friends at work, family members, even facebook friends were sending me messages saying how happy they were for me that I found my dog. How I rejoiced when my dog was found and returned safe and sound.

We, “I”, need to be more diligent in seeking those who are lost. As I sit in the back of the church I attend, I wonder, “how many of them are searching for a deeper relationship in Christ.?” I love worshipping there with my family but have never heard the Pastor give an invitation. What?! Are they all saved, are they all walking the road which leads to Christ? As a Corps Officer, the altar call was always a very important part of the service. We never wanted to loose an opportunity to ask the question...”are you lost, lost in sin? If so, we invite you to come forward and kneel here… The Saviour is waiting just now…”

Among the questions I remember answering at our Annual Reviews in the Army was...how many people were led to Christ in the year 1996? First time seekers, etc.

Do we diligently “Seek those who are lost?” As earnestly as I searched for my dog - praise God we found her- may I be even more diligent in seeking out those who are lost in sin and needing Christ.


Sharon Gulley
Former
USA East