Have you ever felt like you didn’t fit in or were just average? Those feelings can quickly evolve from mere emotions into a full-fledged identity.
I remember going on a quail hunt with a few guys in Moscow, TN, last year. If there was ever a time I’ve felt average, it was during this trip. We all had our shotguns and shells ready for an incredible day. I don’t know if you’ve ever had the chance to see a bird dog work, but I can tell you, it's something to behold. The dog would come to a complete standstill and point at the ground where the quail was hiding. The guide would go to the spot and kick up the bird, and then you shot away. I forget the number of birds we got that day, but it was solid.
Now, I wish I could tell you that I played a significant role in adding to the number, but I would be lying, and I don’t think anyone wants to read a story written by a lying preacher man from Coldwater. I truly felt average that day.
But I know one thing is true regarding our true identity. Our true identity is found in who God says we are. You are far from average. God made you the way that He did because He wanted to make you one of a kind. He loves you. He custom-designed you. He chases after you.
Over the next few weeks, I want us to look into God’s Word at a few stories Jesus shared through parables. Parables are incredible spiritual lessons about the Kingdom of God and how we can live by them. Let's jump into our first one today.
LUKE 15:1-7 NLT [1] Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. [2] This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people-even eating with them! [3] So Jesus told them this story: [4] "If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won't he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? [5] And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. [6] When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.' [7] In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven't strayed away!
In my mind, the key takeaway from this story is that God is fixated on finding the lost. All are equally loved, but the lost are the priority.
Everyone listening knew that when the sheep went missing, any good shepherd would take the opportunity to focus on protecting the ones already in his care. It would make him step into defense, focusing on his flock. However, Jesus went after the lost sheep.
Why on earth would a shepherd leave 99 perfectly good sheep to find one wandering sheep? There are two important factors we need to remember about this story.
ONE | WE ARE THE SHEEP.
The point that Jesus is making here is that we are the lost sheep in this story.
Unfortunately, sheep are not known to be the brightest of animals. Sheep often wander into the wilderness until they get scared. Sheep are reliant on their shepherds and their flocks. Sheep are prone to dangerous situations. Sheep are good at getting lost.
You are never lost in the audience of humanity. God can see each individual. Even though we may feel insignificant, as if we do not matter, we do matter to God.
TWO | JESUS IS OUR CAREGIVER - THE PROTECTIVE SHEPHERD.
This is incredible news for us. Jesus is our caregiver, the protective shepherd. Shepherds in that day and age always had their staff. The shepherd staff was used to correct sheep when they went on the wrong path. It was a weapon used to protect them from wild animals. It was able to smash the heads of snakes and whack away wild coyotes. This means that our shepherd does the same for us - He protects us and provides for us. However, Jesus takes it one step further. He’s a pursuing shepherd. I love this thought and hope it encourages you as we press on in 2024. We need and must remember that we need to remember that Jesus will protect, provide, and pursue us this year.
It doesn’t say he hired a sheep sitter or left the flock in a fenced-in field. Nope. He leaves it. The twist in this parable is that the Shepherd left the rest to look for the one.
This shows that Jesus is willing to take a risk to seek out a rebel. The shepherd was sacrificing a lot in this story. He left his current flock to go into the wilderness - risking everything for the one. It seems absurd to go to such great lengths for one little sheep - until you realize that the one is you.
Notice the shepherd rejoices when he finds his lost sheep. Never underestimate God’s passionate pursuit for His people. He will look for you. He will fight for you. He will celebrate when you come home. God has reserved Heaven’s loudest noise for one who is served and receives the Gospel.
Whenever you are feeling outcast, alone, average, not good enough, or inadequate, remind yourself that you are the one lost sheep. Jesus will pursue you. Jesus chased after you even when it didn’t make sense.
You might feel like no one notices you, but Jesus does. He does more than merely notice you. He radically loves you. He does this because He wants you to be with Him forever. He wants the best for you. He desires a relationship with you. He will go to great lengths to make that happen.
I pray that you draw closer to Jesus each day. I would love to connect with you on Facebook. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything or someone to talk to. 901-515-6450. God never called us to walk through life alone. The best is yet to come in your life.
