“I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.”
– Psalms 119:176
Life has a way of leading us down paths we never intended to take. One moment, we’re confidently walking in faith, and the next, we find ourselves in unfamiliar territory, unsure how we got there or how to find our way back. The psalmist’s words in Psalms 119:176 reflect a deeply human cry: I am lost, Lord. Come and find me.
Feeling Lost in Life
To be “lost” isn’t always about physically wandering. It’s often an emotional or spiritual state—a disconnection from God, others, or even ourselves. Here are some real-life examples of how we can feel lost:
1. The Struggle with Identity
Maybe you’re navigating a season where your purpose feels unclear. Questions like, Who am I? What is my calling? seem unanswered. The search for identity can leave us feeling untethered, like a sheep separated from its flock.
2. Overwhelmed by Life’s Pressures
Bills pile up, relationships strain, and health issues arise. The weight of responsibilities can cloud our ability to see God’s hand in our circumstances, leaving us disoriented.
3. A Drift in Faith
Perhaps you’ve experienced a spiritual dryness—a time when prayer feels hollow, worship feels distant, and God’s presence seems far away. You still remember His commands, as the psalmist says, but you feel too lost to follow them.
4. Caught in Sin or Shame
Mistakes and poor choices can lead us down a path of guilt, where we begin to believe the lie that we’re beyond redemption. Like a sheep tangled in brambles, we can’t see a way out.
In these moments, we echo the psalmist’s plea: Seek your servant. And the good news is, God always does.
The Shepherd Who Seeks
In Luke 19:10, Jesus declares His mission with unmistakable clarity:
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
This isn’t a passive seeking. Jesus actively pursues the lost with relentless love. He is the Good Shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine safe sheep to search for the one who has wandered away (Luke 15:4-7). He doesn’t wait for us to find our way back—He comes to where we are, no matter how far we’ve strayed.
This truth is at the heart of the gospel: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). He didn’t come to save the perfect but the broken, the weary, and the lost.
Real-Life Reflections on Being Found
1. The Young Professional
Picture a young woman climbing the corporate ladder but losing herself in the process. Late nights, endless meetings, and chasing accolades leave her feeling empty. In her weariness, she whispers a prayer: God, are You there? And in His grace, He gently reminds her that her worth is not in her work but in being His beloved daughter.
2. The Prodigal Parent
Imagine a father who drifted from his faith while raising his children. Now, as an empty nester, he looks back with regret. He feels unworthy of God’s love, but through a church invitation, he hears the story of the prodigal son and realizes that God is waiting with open arms to welcome him home.
3. The Teen Battling Shame
Think of a teenager who feels lost in the crowd, burdened by mistakes and plagued by shame. One evening, they stumble upon the verse, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost,” and realize that Jesus loves them as they are.
Hope for the Lost
If you’ve ever felt lost—whether in identity, sin, or sorrow—know this: God has not forgotten you. The Shepherd knows every contour of your heart and every step of your journey. He hears your cries, even when they are silent. And He is faithful to seek and save.
But there’s more to this story. Once we’re found, we’re called to extend the same love to others. There are lost sheep all around us—friends, family, neighbors—who are waiting for someone to point them to the Shepherd.
A Prayer for the Lost
Lord,
I confess that I have strayed like a lost sheep. At times, the worries of this world, the weight of my mistakes, or the dryness of my soul have made me wander. Seek me, O Shepherd, for I long to walk in Your ways. And when You find me, give me the grace to rejoice in being found and the courage to help others find their way to You. Amen.
The Shepherd is calling. Will you answer?