Phillip was small, maybe five or six, it was Christmas and he was curious about everything in the mall. One minute he is holding Dad’s hand and the next he was gone. Mom went nuts, Dad was frantic. Up and down the mall asking shoppers if they’ve seen a small blond boy. Over the PA came the announcement of a small blond boy being found by security. Mom and Dad rushed to reclaim their lost son. Security had retrieved him from a mall display window playing with a mannequin.

Little boys, sheep and even Christians wander away. There are all kinds of things to entice and tempt. We don’t mean to wander but it happens. We remember the teachings of our Lord as well as the commandments. But like the sheep, green grass is always a temptation.

The middle of the verse is a plea, "seek thy sheep." We all want God to reclaim us, to seek us, to make us safe again. Wandering is easy but being found seems hard. We know we need to go back. We know we need to let God find us and reclaim us. But, like Adam and Eve in the garden we are shamed and hide.

The good news is that Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost. Rejoice today that you have been found and the desire to wander has left you.

God’s Wisdom: 19My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, 20remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

Worldly Wisdom:

All that is gold does not glitter, not all who wander are lost, the old that are strong do not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost. J.R.R. Tolkien