Tracie Miles
“And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.'” Luke 15:5-6 (HCSB)
My family recently went on a vacation to the Caribbean. One beautiful day we ventured onto the white sands and crystal waters, prepared for a wonderful day of sun and fun. This beach offered lots of family activities including paddle boats, kayaks, snorkeling and a water trampoline. Two of my children were not interested in jumping on the water trampoline due to it’s long distance from the shore. However, my fearless ten year old daughter was pleading with me to allow her to play on it, assuring me it was perfectly safe. Against my better judgment, but being confident of her swimming abilities, I agreed. About fifteen minutes after she had swum off into the distance, I lost sight of her. I tried to distinguish her little head from all the other bobbing heads in the ocean, but they all looked the same so far away. Out of sheer panic I convinced my husband to swim out and look for her.
After what seemed like forever, he finally reached the trampoline. Although I could not see his face, I could see his body language change as he searched for her on, around, and even under this huge blown up water toy. He jumped off the trampoline and began swimming to another water activity even further into the ocean. He was yelling out her name. Total strangers joined in and began calling her name, as well. Meanwhile I was begging the beach guard to take the rescue boat out. He finally did, but could not locate her. Twenty more minutes passed. I was in a sheer state of panic and despair, tears streaming down my face, barely breathing, and repeating out loud, the words, “No! No! No!” My other two children clung to me, crying and worrying about their sister. My oldest daughter was blaming herself, regretting that she had not gone with her sister to play in the water. In my heart, I fought off the fear that my daughter had perished in the strong currents. I prayed and cried to God for his mercy on her, not to take her little life, but instead to save her. Rescue her. Bring her back to me safely.
Minutes later, as my heart was beating out of my chest, I saw them - my husband, and my little girl, swimming towards the shore. My legs felt weak and I dropped to my knees. I thanked God for this blessing and for His mercy on us. When they finally arrived to shore, I grabbed my precious daughter and held her tightly in my arms. Her confusion quickly turned to tears, because all the while, she had just been having fun and had no idea that we were fretting over where she was. She had been completely unaware that we were frantically searching for her.
Later, as I thought back on this scary ordeal, I thought about how God must ache for His lost children. He loves His children more than I can love my own, and scripture tells us He is yearning to rescue those who are lost (Psalm 50:14-15). Many people live day after day; completely unaware that God is searching for them and frantically calling their name. If you have never truly accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, dear friend, know that He is searching for YOU today, and He wants you to find Him. If you feel like you are drowning in the sea of life, take heart in the truth that Jesus is searching for you, anxiously waiting for the moment when your eyes will meet, and He can wrap His loving arms around you, and rescue you. He is patiently waiting for you to hear Him calling your name, so that He can rejoice in knowing that you have been found. God knows YOUR name… He is calling YOU… are you listening?
Dear Lord, search my heart, call my name, and help me to hear Your loving voice. I want to know You. I am in desperate need of rescue from the churning sea of life. Rescue me Father. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you know Him?
Reinventing Your Rainbow by Tracie Miles
“And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.'” Luke 15:5-6 (HCSB)
My family recently went on a vacation to the Caribbean. One beautiful day we ventured onto the white sands and crystal waters, prepared for a wonderful day of sun and fun. This beach offered lots of family activities including paddle boats, kayaks, snorkeling and a water trampoline. Two of my children were not interested in jumping on the water trampoline due to it’s long distance from the shore. However, my fearless ten year old daughter was pleading with me to allow her to play on it, assuring me it was perfectly safe. Against my better judgment, but being confident of her swimming abilities, I agreed. About fifteen minutes after she had swum off into the distance, I lost sight of her. I tried to distinguish her little head from all the other bobbing heads in the ocean, but they all looked the same so far away. Out of sheer panic I convinced my husband to swim out and look for her.
After what seemed like forever, he finally reached the trampoline. Although I could not see his face, I could see his body language change as he searched for her on, around, and even under this huge blown up water toy. He jumped off the trampoline and began swimming to another water activity even further into the ocean. He was yelling out her name. Total strangers joined in and began calling her name, as well. Meanwhile I was begging the beach guard to take the rescue boat out. He finally did, but could not locate her. Twenty more minutes passed. I was in a sheer state of panic and despair, tears streaming down my face, barely breathing, and repeating out loud, the words, “No! No! No!” My other two children clung to me, crying and worrying about their sister. My oldest daughter was blaming herself, regretting that she had not gone with her sister to play in the water. In my heart, I fought off the fear that my daughter had perished in the strong currents. I prayed and cried to God for his mercy on her, not to take her little life, but instead to save her. Rescue her. Bring her back to me safely.
Minutes later, as my heart was beating out of my chest, I saw them - my husband, and my little girl, swimming towards the shore. My legs felt weak and I dropped to my knees. I thanked God for this blessing and for His mercy on us. When they finally arrived to shore, I grabbed my precious daughter and held her tightly in my arms. Her confusion quickly turned to tears, because all the while, she had just been having fun and had no idea that we were fretting over where she was. She had been completely unaware that we were frantically searching for her.
Later, as I thought back on this scary ordeal, I thought about how God must ache for His lost children. He loves His children more than I can love my own, and scripture tells us He is yearning to rescue those who are lost (Psalm 50:14-15). Many people live day after day; completely unaware that God is searching for them and frantically calling their name. If you have never truly accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, dear friend, know that He is searching for YOU today, and He wants you to find Him. If you feel like you are drowning in the sea of life, take heart in the truth that Jesus is searching for you, anxiously waiting for the moment when your eyes will meet, and He can wrap His loving arms around you, and rescue you. He is patiently waiting for you to hear Him calling your name, so that He can rejoice in knowing that you have been found. God knows YOUR name… He is calling YOU… are you listening?
Dear Lord, search my heart, call my name, and help me to hear Your loving voice. I want to know You. I am in desperate need of rescue from the churning sea of life. Rescue me Father. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you know Him?
Reinventing Your Rainbow by Tracie Miles
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
Application Steps:
Spend time in prayer and ask God for the discernment to clearly hear His voice.
If you feel you are lost, and in need of a Savior, visit the Do You Know Him link above.
Reflections:
Is my heart open to Christ, so my ears can hear His voice?
Power Verses:
1 Corinthians 5:3, “But the man who loves God is known by God.” (NIV)
John 10:27, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (NIV)
Labels: Spiritual Growth, Trusting God, Walking in Faith
2 Comments:
I too have had that anxious, horrible feeling of loosing a child on a beach. And what a wonderful way to take that feeling of just wanting to see that child/hold them/love them and compare it to how small that is in comparision to God's love for us! Oh, and by the way I did find my sweet little girl and that feeling of love, relief and happiness was amazing! Thank you!
I need Jesus to rescue me. I am drowning as the pressures of life and finances are pushing in. I cna't do it all alone, I am trying, but am so tired.
Dear God,
I ask that you rescue me. help me, I need you b/c I can't do it alone. I am tired and worn down. I need your help. i am not sure what to do about my husband and these finances. I want him to do private practice, but he seems so resistant. He is doing all of these other things instead of trying to build up his practice, is he fearful of the fact you will provide? Help us communicate without arguing. I am falling apart and need you. Please be with my son, I know that he swallowed something in Grace's room, but I don't know what. I pray that what ever it is cause no problems in his system, but that it will pass through him with no harm. cover him in your protection. Forgive me for missing you yesterday, I cannot miss time with you, it is so detrimental to my state of mind and ability to function. I love you and thank you for your love for me and my family. Give me patience and strength today as I am worn thin and my heart is hurting. And please protect my son as I am very scard and worried about him. Don't let him be harmed in any way. amen
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