The One

Little lamb, little lamb

Little way-faring lamb

 All alone and cold

Did you lose your way

in the Rush of the Day;

Did you stray away from the fold?

Did you know that Jesus, the Shepherd

longs to know you're alright? 

He comes after you

Wants to rescue you

Even in dead of night? 

~Artist: Marmee =)

~Album:  Sierra's Lullabye Album

Yep- my dear Marmee wrote lullabyes for each of us girls when we were born, and recorded them on a tape. The one above is one I remember well, and helps me address this issue.

“Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.
“What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. ~ Matthew 18:10-14

So many times people become born again in Christ; are brought up knowing what is right and wrong, and then are too easily beckoned into the world. Believe me, it's an on-going battle! Anyway- point is, so many times, people get so sucked into the world when they're in trouble they think, "How could G-d take me back... now? After all this..."

I love the above passage because it totally relates to this and anwers the question well.

“Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven."

Everyone is special to G-d, even when they don't know Him. 1 Peter 5:7- "...casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you," proves this in a wonderful way... we are all "little ones" before G-d- we all need saving- Jesus did not come to save the righteous, but the sinners.
This verse is explaining what G-d does day-by-day, week-by-week, year-by-year. This last week at my church's VBS, twenty-seven kids gave their hearts to Christ. Among them was a beautiful, sweet little girl in my group named Tara. There was something special about this little girl... I don't know what. But the moment she walked in, I felt like this dear in particular needed Jesus, and soon. And let me tell, you when she whispered a prayer on Wednesday night, my heart soared.. and the joy on her face was unspeakable, indescribable. I know she's going to encounter things in the world, as we all do. But finding comfort in Christ as her Savior, I hope and pray she will make it through.

Moving on...

“What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying?

Everyone needs saving. We all have wandered and become lost along life's path. But He keeps track of us. His eye is always watching over us, where we are, where we've been; and (I love this!) G-d pursues us, because He loves us.

And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray.

Everyone counts to G-d. As Christians, we know G-d is not willing for all to perish. Others don't. G-d is, in a sense, not "happy" until He has 100% of all people- He longs for it, is probably a better statement. 100% of us sheep are not going to come back. He knows that. But I find comfort knowing that G-d is going to come for me, no matter what... others do not. This doesn't  mean that we should say, "Welllll, since G-d will love me anyway, I can steal, cheat,  and murder, and still get to heaven. After all, He will still love me." Only one part of that statement is right- that G-d will still love you. Even though He loves us, He hates sin. We have no right to feel like that should be our right. He saves us one-by-one. Our hearts should bhe right toward Him, but also willing to do things His way, and let Him be in control.

Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

Be a "sheep" resting in the Shepherd's hands. Be a sheep that helps reach out to other sheep; being a help rather than a hindrance- the one G-d wants to bring home.

When I was little, I remember one of my favorite movies was a PreciousMoments cartoon called Simon the Lamb. Basically it was about a blue sheep the Shepherd brought home, only to be made fun of by almost the entire flock of sheep- I mean, he's a blue sheep, why not? The only friend he makes is a fox- a nice fox, a cute fox (adorable! those cute tear-drop eyes... on a baby fox!!!) but still a fox. Eventually, the blue sheep (Simon) leaves the farm and gets caught in a snow-storm. Guess who comes back to look for him? That's right, the Shepherd. The rest of the sheep finally accept him, understanding that he really is a sheep just like the rest of them.

My point? The sheep who made fun of Simon the blue sheep, and literally pushed him out of their little sheepy circles were being a hindrance, rather than a help to the Shepherd.

Finally: What does this have to do with me? Simply this: am I concerned for "the one?" When we're in G-d's fold, we have two options: G-d's with us, and it's so easy to say, "I'm in- life is good!"(a.k.a., it's easy); or to stand near the fence-post. Not venturing out, but right there ready to welcome. Always praying and looking to the distance for the one on his way home. Reach out.

 One person at a time.