Lost and Found

(posted as part of the blog www.somethingshappeninghere.wordpress.com/2013/03/18/lost-and-found)

The Shepherd
How sweet is the shepherd's sweet lot! From the morn to the evening he strays; He shall follow his sheep all the day, And his tongue shall be filled with praise. For he hears the lambs' innocent call, And he hears the ewes' tender reply; He is watchful while they are in peace, For they know when their shepherd is nigh. by William Blake (1794)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catacombs_of_Rome

Scriptural Context:
Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

John 10: 1-18

14

I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Fatherand I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. Luke 15:1-8
3

Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesnt he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep. 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one who is lost and repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

Reflection:
Ever seen the panic in a childs eyes the second he or she realizes mom or dad is no longer in sight? You witness that painful, momentary bewilderment, and then the sudden shock of realization that he or she is alone. In an instant, you can hear the quiet distress, and watch the eyes fill with tears as the lips start to quiver and a wail emerges. Even from a very young age, we tremble at the thought of being lost and alone. It is a moment that feels like a lifetime. We search faces, listen for comforting familiarity in voices, seek out the stance or outline of our parent. And nothing is so great as the relief to be found; as rushing into outstretched arms and being enfolded in a huge, loving embrace. The vignette that starts with tangible fear, panic and isolation, ends in love, security, and such desperate relief. We hold on just a little bit tighter in a prolonged embrace, not wanting that feeling to ever end. Adults, too, feel that loss and isolation; and the gamut of emotions, if not as readily displayed, is very real nonetheless. For some, its from having lost something or someone precious, and the void is too great to fill. It swallows us whole. For others, its that persistent sense that somethings missing; that restlessness that just cant be settled, or the yearning for something greater, some connection that will give life its meaning. For still others, its a drastic change in direction, or self-destructive choices, in response to an overwhelming event or experience. The sense of bewilderment, the shock of being alone, the distress, panic and the feeling of being trapped, that there is no way out is the same as we experienced in childhood. Only this time, chances are there is no parent waiting with open arms for that safe and secure embrace. How, then, does one find that same safety, love, and security? Where is one supposed to turn? Its no simple matter that Jesus compares himself to a shepherd. In his parable about the lost sheep, he expounds his great concern and commitment to care for each one of us. If we are lost, he will come find us. He will not shrug us off as a mere loss; he will persist in securing us,

carrying us in that loving embrace, if thats what we need. He knows each one of us by name, and if we attune ourselves to his voice, we will hear him calling out to us; he will guide us and lead us safely home. In that one embrace in his loving presence, he can restore our lost soul and provide comfort, stillness, peace and safety.

Message in Music:
Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone), sung by Chris Tomlin (full lyrics here)

You can click on the picture to take you to the song on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obrIoddkpyM Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I'm found; was blind, but now I see. The Lord has promised good to me; His word my hope secures. He will my shield and portion be as long as life endures. My chains are gone, I've been set free. My God, my Savior has ransomed me; and like a flood His mercy reigns - unending love, amazing grace.

Carry Me, by Josh Wilson (full lyrics here)

You can click on the picture to take you to the song on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9huooelamNA I try to catch my breath; it hasn't happened yet. I'm wide awake in the middle of the night scared to death. So I pray to God, would You make this stop: Father please hold on to me, You're all I've got. Carry me, carry me, carry me now, from my sinking sand to Your solid ground. The only way I'm ever gonna make it out is if You carry me, carry me, carry me now. Jesus calm my heart, come near me please. Lord don't let these worries get the best of me. Oh I believe, that You're still here with me, cause You meant what You said when You said You'd never leave.

What Wondrous Love is This Lyrics http://www.lutheran-hymnal.com/lyrics/hs860.htm What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul! What wondrous love is this, O my soul! What wondrous love is this That caused the Lord of bliss To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul, To bear the dreadful curse for my soul! When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down, When I was sinking down, sinking down, When I was sinking down Beneath Gods righteous frown, Christ laid aside His crown for my soul for my soul, Christ laid aside His crown for my soul.

To God and to the Lamb I will sing, I will sing; To God and to the Lamb I will sing; To God and to the Lamb, Who is the great I AM, While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing, While millions join the theme, I will sing. And when from death Im free, Ill sing on, Ill sing on; And when from death Im free, Ill sing on. And when from death Im free Ill sing His love for me, And through eternity Ill sing on, Ill sing on, And through eternity Ill sing on.