Discovery Journal

Justin T. - October 6, 2010

Scripture:

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." (Luke 19:10)

Observation:

One time while snowboarding on Mt. Hood with my friends, we decided to race to the bottom of one of the slopes. As we were racing, I thought I had them beat, because I made a shortcut. Little did I realize that my shortcut was down an abandoned slope. As I continued to speed down the hill, I noticed that I was all alone. I kept going, even though I didn't see anyone (only worsening the matter). Finally, I came to the end of the slope and realized that I was lost. There is no more helpless feeling than being lost! Thank God I had a walkie-talkie, and after a difficult climb half-way up the mountain, I was finally able to get a signal to my friends who had the other walkie-talkie! Someone who worked for the resort came and found me on his snowmobile and picked me up! Just as there is no more helpless feeling than being lost, there is no more joyous feeling than being found after you were lost!

Application:

When I was going down the slope, I had this sinking feeling that I was making things worse. It was only when I came to the end that I did reach out and do what was neccesary to be rescued. I need to realize that is the same in my walk with God. At times I stray from Him in an effort to find a shortcut or the path of least resistance and get lost! Then I make it worse by continuing on this path until I come to the end of myself, making my attempt to return to Him even more difficult than if I were just to stop and repent. I am so thankful, however, that Jesus' mission is to seek and save that which was lost! All I need to do is call on His name and I can know the wondrous joy of being rescued by Him!

Prayer:

Lord, I thank You that You came to seek and save that which was lost! Help me not to stray from You. If I do stray, I pray that I will always have the mindset to call upon Your name! Amen.