“Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’”

— Luke 15:6

The term “Christian” roughly translates into “little Christ,” meaning that a person who follows Christ is an extension of Jesus and a representative of his Father in heaven. This is a heavy responsibility for two significant reasons. There is the personal nature of being a Christian, which includes self-discipline and continuing growth into maturity of faith. There is also the communal nature of Christian living, and this requires our energy and resources as we involve ourselves in the lives of others, such as friends, neighbors, and even complete strangers. So, like Christ, Christians are called to be there when life is good and to search out others who have been wandering and need to know Christ or to come back into his family.

The truth is that we are all like sheep in some ways, and at some point or other we have walked away from the Lord, our shepherd. We have wandered off, distracted by what we think is greener grass, cooler water, or a better pasture. We’ve gotten lost, and we’ve gone through days—even whole seasons—when the sound of his voice is so faint that we barely notice it. Yet, like a good shepherd, Jesus is fully committed to rescuing each and every sheep that has lost its way. And not one can wander so far that he can’t find them.

Great Shepherd, thank you for continuing to look after us, even when we have strayed. Help us to listen for your call when we begin to wander, and protect us when we have gotten lost. Amen.