"'What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off." Matthew 18:12,13 NIV
I had the blessing yesterday of not only running the Bass Pro Marathon but co-leading the 4 hour, 30 minute pace group. For 26.2 miles, my job was to encourage the runners following to stay focused and press on to the finish line. And while runners hopped in and out of the group as the race progressed and became more difficult, one first-time marathoner stayed with us the entire time. For hours he and I spoke frankly about our past, life in general, running and Jesus. And as I listened intently for all that time, I was so sure that this was a "divine appointment" that, nearing the finish line, I looked at him and said, "God surely loves you my friend. It's no coincidence that you're in this group. He arranged all of this to lead you back to Him."
And you know what? The runner smiled and agreed. But isn't that just like the Good Shepherd to arrange meetings such as this? Divine appointments that give you and me a chance to share God’s love? In fact, the Lord loves his children so much that when one of His sheep strays He will "leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?" And the best part? When He finds the one, "he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off."
So no matter where you're at, be open to the Lord's prompting my friend. In God's reckless love and pursuit of the one that “wanders away,” He could very well be using you to lead that one sheep back to Him. Don't miss the opportunity.
Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us so much that You would personally arrange meetings such as these. Help us to open our hearts to hear the promptings and then obedient to obey them. May we care as much about the one that wandered off as You do Lord. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!!!
Reckless love - Cory Asbury
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