Living Lost, but Finally Found: Four Ways to be Found
Have you ever been lost? It happens to me continually. In fact, it happened to me last weekend, while on a walk (yes, you read that correctly). I was be-popping along in the neighborhood behind me, taking turns at stop signs and thinking about things, and then turned around to come home and had no clue where I was. I walked back a little bit in the other direction, and nothing appeared familiar. Finally, I had to whip out my phone to get me home.
This seems ridiculous, right? How could I get so far and not know my surroundings? How could I be going all this way and miss where I am? How could I manage to find myself lost? But I wonder how many of us have found ourselves lost. Finding ourselves lost can be more of a way of living than we realize. But there are ways to be found.
How We get Lost
Often, we find ourselves turned around because we listen to the world’s propaganda: You Only Live Once (YOLO); if it feels good, do it; Carpe Diem. We seize the day doing what we want, when want, and how we want. We may have little care for the impact on us physically, mentally, or spiritually. And while those elements may appear very overt, sometimes they can be very subtle as well. Maybe it is not going for the gold in living out your wildest dream. Maybe it is the serpent subtly saying, “It is not that bad”; “You can handle it, you won’t get addicted”; or “God said to live life to the fullest. Go for it.” What better way to disorient us than give us a little truth along with a lie?
Jesus warns us in Matthew 24:4-6 (ESV) to be careful to not be deceived because “many will come in my name, saying ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.” People may provide us with words that sound good, but they go against God’s character. As C.S. Lewis observes in Screwtape Letters, “Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one--the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.”
Another way we may find ourselves lost is due to our circumstances. Unfortunately, this world provides us with plenty of opportunity to experience pain, heartache, and devastation. Experiences in our life can rock our world, and we lose all sense of direction. What was once solid is now sinking, what was once up is now down. Our world is shattered. We may find ourselves in these situations running from God and into the arms of a world that spins us around until we have no idea where we are or whose we are.
Living lost may feel good for a while; however, eventually living lost loses its luster. Thankfully, we have an opportunity to be found no matter how lost we are.
Four Ways to be Found
1) Acknowledging our lostness
The first task in being found is acknowledging that we are lost. What would have happened if I never acknowledged that I was lost on my walk? I most likely would still be walking right now! I had to admit that I was lost. I had to be ready to be found.
Peter offers us one way to acknowledge our need to be found, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” (I Peter 5:6, ESV). The first step is to humble ourselves. We cannot change what we do not acknowledge. When we acknowledge our need for help, that is when we can receive it.
2) Renewing our minds
Another way is through changing our thoughts. If we continue with the thoughts of the world’s propaganda, we will not change. We will continue to seek the lostness the word offers. However, if we will change our mindset to recognize that we live our best lives when we are in Christ Jesus, we can find ourselves centered again and headed in the right direction.
Paul tells us in Romans 12:12 (ESV), “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” This is how we find ourselves centered again. When we measure ourselves against God’s truths, we begin to follow sustainable truth, hope, peace, and joy rather than seemingly quick fixes.
3) Remembering to whom we belong
When are living lost, we might experience shame and hopelessness. We wrestle with believing we are not good enough, no longer belong, or believe we are deserving of being lost forever. But that is not what God says or believes of us.
While we may run, Jesus remains constant. In Jesus’ parable of the lost sheep, he reminds us, “If he has lost one of them [sheep], does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders rejoicing” (Luke 15:4-5, ESV). Jesus is always waiting for us with open arms. Additionally, Paul tells us in Romans 8:1 (ESV), “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” He desires us to be found, forgiven, and free.
4) Living Found
Jesus tells in John 16:33 (ESV), “In this world you will tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Jesus does not sugar coat this world for us. He lets us know we are going to have trouble. However, he also tells us that we are not alone. He will be our guide even when the storms come and the darkness falls.
Living found is walking in the knowledge that Jesus is with us in the hardest of times. We can, even in the most devastating of times, experience freedom, hope, and faith no matter the roads we travel. Living found is not a pain-free living; it is simply knowing that when life brings us troules, when the painful circumstances arise, we can still see our path because our Guide is there to clear a way for us.
Final Thoughts
Living lost only provides fleeting fulfillment. However, being finally found provides forever freedom. Never can we be plucked from the Father’s hand (John 10:28). Never can we escape his love for us (Romans 8:37-39). We are his everlasting to everlasting! Now go live found!