Lost and Found

This Thursday, I was driving home from a lovely morning at Terrain, one of my favorite spots near where I live. It was the soul rest I’ve been needing: filled with nourishing food, my favorite coffee, beautiful scenery, and new ideas. I was driving down a particularly windy and busy road, when in the middle of the road, was a rather fat, fluffy large dog. He clearly knew he was lost, as he kept on walking in circles in the middle of the road. My mom and I got out of the car, opened the back door, and he came bounding in. Thankfully he had a collar with a number on it, so we called and found out where his owner lived. Meanwhile, Samson (the dog) had stretched himself out on the back seat, panting happily. Turns out he had strayed about a mile from home.  

As soon as we arrived at his house, he jumped out excitedly and began running around his owner, running toward me and licking my knees, almost as if to thank me. The owner told us that perhaps he had gotten used to his electric fence, and had finally gotten brave enough to cross it and go exploring on his own. 

Upon reflecting on this, I’m reminded of the story of all Jesus followers at one time or another. Particularly my story. We decide that what we already have is not enough. We know the Father loves us and that He will provide everything we need, but curiosity’s voice is louder. We wonder if we’re missing out on something greater. So we take the jump and break through our electric fences (forgetting that those boundaries are there for a very good reason). That initial shock of leaving the Father might be the Holy Spirit telling us that it’s not a good idea, but at that point, we’ve escaped and decide not to listen because there’s a rush of adrenaline racing through our bones. We think we’re free. We go out in search of other things that could fill our heart’s desire. We seek after things that we believe might give us comfort and worth and love. It might be wonderful for a little while. However, once we’ve strayed a mile down the road and realize we’ve forgotten how to get back home, fear takes over. Once the realization that we’re lost (or that we’ve run away from the Father), leaves us wading in pools of our own shame, looking down at the ground and walking around in the same circles of addiction and brokenness because we don’t know how or why the Father would want to take us back. 

Thankfully we serve a faithful God, who oftentimes points us back to Him, by placing His other sons and daughters in our lives. Sometimes He uses other people to lift our heads and to take every step with us, until we find ourselves back in the arms of the Father. And when we’ve finally made it back home, the joy that overtakes us is amazing. Once we’ve realized that the Father has taken us back and loves us just the same, all we can do is throw ourselves into His arms and into the arms of the people who have helped us make the journey home. And then perhaps, life takes on a whole new meaning. We see life with a whole new perspective. We are freer, more joyful, and filled with new life and purpose, because we once we lost, but we have been found. 

This is Samson :)