Love for the Lost or a Love Lost?

By Rev. Shawn Tipton, M.Div
Hanna’s Creek Christian Church

“Dad, we have not seen our cat for a couple of days. Can I go look for her when we get home?” One of my twins was clearly worried about our barn cat one Sunday after attending worship. Just a few hours later I could hear the loud sobs coming from outside as I was getting a few things together in the house. Not far from our home our girls found Blackie. She had apparently been hit by a car and died just off the edge of the road.

To be honest we are not really cat people. Allergies prevent a couple of us from having the slightest chance of being cat lovers. But this cat managed to capture all of our hearts. She was dumped when she was tiny and we had the opportunity to give her a home. Our barn was the perfect place for her to grow.

The older she got the more she had a tendency to wonder. I had noticed that she was venturing further and further from the barn. I had seen her cross the road a time or two and mentioned to my son that it could be dangerous for her. We tried our best to discourage her from wandering. Making sure she always had what she needed close by the house or the barn.

Her story did not end the way that we hoped it would. My girls definitely wanted more time with her. They will miss her presence this summer when they make their way to the barn to do chores. As sad as this experience is, it has reminded me of some very valuable lessons about life and faith.

There are times in our life that we can be just like that cat. God stepped in and rescued us when we needed it the most. He showers his love on us. He provides us with what we need in life. Yet, we have a tendency to wander. Despite having refuge and shelter in God’s presence, something out there captures our attention. Sometimes we wander out of pure curiosity, like our cat. Other times we leave intentionally thinking something better awaits. Sometimes we just get distracted and have wandered without really even noticing. Nevertheless, all of these lead us into a place of danger.

I was also reminded that regardless of how or why we wander, God is always just like my girls. He knows when we have strayed and His love compels Him to go look for us. We see this characteristic of God throughout the Bible but Jesus tells three parables that capture the depth of God’s love for people that have lost their way. These parables are found in Luke’s Gospel in chapter 15.All three parables focus on something that is lost, a sheep, a coin, and a son.

All three parables talk about the recovery of the thing that was lost. All three parables indicate that God never stops looking for those who are lost. God’s love even for those who are lost is made clear. The love of God is a love that keeps looking. Just like my daughters love for their cat compelled them to look for her.

It is the third “lost” parable that reveals an interesting layer. The father in the parable has two sons. One son stays home with the father and enjoys what the father has to offer. The other, the prodigal, wanders. He takes what the father can offer and leaves and loses it all. But, the father never stops looking for that son to return. Eventually the prodigal returns. The son that stayed is appalled at the father’s acceptance of the lost son. God had a love for the lost son, the other son lost his love for his brother.

Again, here is a valuable lesson. Simply not wandering from God is not the goal of life. Nearness to God must be accompanied by demonstrating the love of God. How might our families, communities, country, and world look if we loved people the same way that God loves us? Do we have a love for those who are lost? Or have we lost the way we are supposed to love?

Hanna’s Creek Christian Church
2584 E Kitchel Rd.
Liberty, IN 47353

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