The Lost Coin

It has been a few weeks since I could attend my current church (been traveling a lot), but I was really convicted by the message yesterday. The pastor preached on the parable of the lost coin and how one woman searched and searched until she found it. Historians believe this coin may have been her wedding dowry and so when she found it, she rejoices with friends and neighbours alike. 

Here is what bothers me -- we as believers are supposed to go after that lost coin. We are supposed to encourage one another to draw closer to the Lord, tell the world all about the love of Christ that we ourselves have experienced, and pray for those in need. 

For some reason, we don't do it.  Instead, we talk about our jobs, our families, even our church and our friends and our hobbies. I think part of the issue stems from false assumptions that we ourselves are imperfect and therefore incapable of really mirroring Christ's love to a world that really needs it.  Of course, this isn't true and we can absolutely be real and authentic even through our failures and imperfections.  Another reason for this apathy, at least in my case, is that we don't want people to think we are crazy or fanatical even though we know Jesus was pretty fanatical and He went through a lot of trouble to show His love for us, didn't He?

It is the week before Easter, a week where things slow down and most people (at least in my part of the world) have a few days of vacation, and therefore a good time for us to ask ourselves and each other -- do we truly understand what happened at the cross and the grace and love we have received?  Do we know where our peace comes from, and do we know where we are going if we were to die tomorrow?  It struck me again this morning that the only thing that gets us to heaven is our authentic relationship with the Lord and desire to follow Him totally -- not money, career, family ties, fame, and not even the talents He has given us here on earth will bring us eternal life.

And once we know where we are going, are we prepared to go after that one coin -- pray over it, light a candle, sweep away the dirt if we need to -- in order to bring that one person into the Kingdom of God?  

I have never been a missionary nor been good about sharing my faith, and suddenly, this Easter, my heart burns for the lost and for the prodigal sons and daughters out there. 

May this Easter be a time where we can examine our hearts and dare to do the things we are called to do.  May we be the ones who go after that single lost coin -- all for His glory.