Seeking the Lost
Scripture Reading — Genesis 3:1-9
They hid … among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called … “Where are you?”
Genesis 3:8-9
We’ve all heard stories about hikers or hunters who, walking in the woods, stumbled across a body. Recently our news reported that hunters had discovered the body of a boy lying in tall grass. Many people had been looking for him. Weeks before, he had donned his knapsack and left home after a disagreement with his parents. What ended his life, investigators said, was a bad fall from a tall tree. How sad!
Every year families and communities work together to search for someone who is lost. Sometimes a precious child goes missing. Sometimes it’s a dear grandmother who grew confused and lost her way. In every case everyone hopes for a happy outcome. Anyone who has searched for missing loved ones understands the lengths we will go to try to find them.
The Bible’s story of redemption begins with a grieving Creator calling out in the garden, “Where are you?” After the wonderful affirmations he made about his handiwork in the first two chapters of Genesis, this is a question full of deep compassion and urgency. And although the question is first asked in Genesis, the seeking grace that motivates it can be found throughout Scripture.
Do you hear your Creator calling for you? In this new year will you work with God to bring his lost sons and daughters home?
Father, your heart aches for lost souls. Thank you for rescuing us through Jesus, the only way home. Help us lead others to you with the same compassion and urgency. Amen.
About the author — Norm Prenger
Rev. Norm Prenger is a graduate of Calvin Theological Seminary. He pastored churches in Alberta and British Columbia before he was disabled by a heart attack and a post-operative stroke. He now lives with his wife, Gwen, near Thunder Bay, Ontario. He enjoys fishing, writing, drumming, and encouraging his fishing partners and neighbors to follow Jesus.
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