CounterculturalSample

What do you do when you lose something valuable to you? A family heirloom, an expensive purchase, a sentimental possession—what do you do when you can’t find something that matters? If you’re like most people, you probably search frantically for it. You retrace your steps, turn your house upside down, you don’t stop looking until it’s found. Why? Because of the value it has to you. The item means something to you. Even if you have a million others like it, when you lose the one that matters most, you’re willing to do whatever you have to do to find it. Well, that’s how Jesus sees each one of us.

Like a shepherd works to find his lost sheep and keep them safe in his flock, Jesus cares about each of His followers in a real way. To Him, we have such value that if even one of us goes astray or loses our way, He works to find us as if we were the only one. Yes, God is big and powerful, but God is also individual to us, seeing us as the unique creations we are. To Him, we aren’t just one of many—we’re valued as one and only. Who in your life might need this reminder today? Take a step to share this parable with them—God sees, cares about, and goes after each of us.