In a disturbing story published by Fox 8 Lansing over the weekend, it was reported that an 11-year-old boy who became separated from his cross country team and spent about two hours lost in the woods in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula was found safe, authorities confirmed.
The boy was running near the Canada Lakes Pathway trailhead when he lost contact with his team on Tuesday, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources said in a social media post. Conservation officers received a call from local dispatch at 7:29 p.m. reporting that the child had been missing for about an hour.
Working with the Luce County Sheriff’s Department, conservation officers organized a search, the department said. The first pair of volunteers found the boy safe and healthy within 45 minutes, and he was reunited with his mother.
“Keep eyes on him. Don’t take eyes off of him,” a conservation officer can be heard telling volunteers in body camera footage shared by the DNR. The officer then starts speaking with volunteers as he runs down a trail.
“How’s your run?” the officer then asks the boy once he reaches them.
“How’s your run?” the officer then asks the boy once he reaches them.
And, you know, while we don't know how this young boy lost contact with his team, the story serves as a warning that going astray can happen very quickly. This is true in our spiritual life as well. Hence the reason, the psalmist said, "I have gone astray like a lost sheep; Seek Your servant, For I do not forget Your commandments."
In describing himself as "like a lost sheep," the psalmist was acknowledging that just as sheep wander away from the flock--because they become absorbed in grazing, get distracted, or lose track of their surroundings--he was prone to wander even though he does not forgot God's commandments.
To understand how this could happen, consider that a sheep keeps its head down while intently eating grass and, in doing so, can become oblivious to their surroundings. In this way the sheep can slowly move away from the flock or not realize that the flock has moved away from them. Since sheep are then very prone to fear, they can quickly become distressed when they realize they are alone.
In fact, when a sheep wanders away from its flock, its first and strongest reaction is usually intense panic. Because sheep are prey animals with a powerful herd instinct, isolation strips away their only real sense of security. Once separated, a lone sheep will typically stop grazing and begin bleating loudly in a desperate attempt to locate its companions.
Unfortunately, instead of navigating its way back to safety, the panicked animal often wanders aimlessly or freezes in place out of fear. This disorientation frequently leads them into dangerous situations, as their poor depth perception causes them to stumble into ditches, wander onto steep ledges, or get their thick wool tangled in briars and brambles.
In the worst cases, a lost sheep might roll onto its back and become "cast," a helpless position from which they cannot right themselves without human assistance. Left unprotected and without any natural defense mechanisms, a wandering sheep is highly vulnerable to predators and completely dependent on a shepherd or handler to find and rescue them.
As you can clearly see, then, our first reaction when we have strayed (and every person will stray from time to time) is to follow the example of the psalmist and cry out to the Lord, "Seek Your servant." This simple prayer acknowledges that we have no power to find our way back by ourselves and need the Good Shepherd to lead us back into the safety of the flock.
"The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles." Psalm 34:17
"I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own." John 10:14
The best part? The Good Shepherd knows His sheep (that's you, me, and every other person who has trusted Him as Savior), hears their bleatings no matter where they are, and delivers them out of all their troubles.
"The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry." Psalm 34:15
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9
So, if you're looking around at your life today and saying, "Wow, I sure have strayed off course and gotten lost," take heart my friend. The eyes of the Lord have always been upon you, His ears have always been open to your cry, and when you confess your sins, He is faithful to forgive and lead you back home.
Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that, although we will all go astray, You never take your eyes off of us nor are You ever deaf to our cries for help. Lord, cause those who are lost today to turn from their ways and seek You so they can be led back home. Thank You for being a Shepherd who loves His sheep so much that You would die for them. It's in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!
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