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Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to [Jesus.] And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”  - Luke 15:1-3

The parables that follow this passage are of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin.  And although they were told over 2000 years ago and we no longer have the same view of sheep and coins, the message is not lost.  When there is something that we treasure, something that has value in our lives, we will drop just about everything and search for it until it is found.

The problem is, that when we are looking for the thing that is lost, we can look a bit foolish.  But that does not stop us from the search.  How much more foolish do you think God might look in all God’s glory throwing caution to the wind to search for any one of us when we are lost?  

We tend to ignore the lengths that God goes through to make God-self known to us, to build a relationship with us, to teach us how to live in lives of service to one another.  We gloss over this relational side of God, because it is easier to leave the glory of God in a far off place and let ourselves believe that there is not an omnipotent presence near us, that way we can live however we want.  Or, it is easier to remove God from daily life, and operate in such a way that we can exclude God from uncomfortable conversations, and excuse ourselves for not having a relationship with a seemingly unseen being.  Or, we can make excuses about how we don’t get everything that we think we need in life.  

We miss the part of the story (or at least I often miss the part of the story) where there is rejoicing, and a party and celebrations with friends and neighbors.  Let us not forget the part that reminds us that ALL HEAVEN REJOICES when even one sinner repents.  “there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” - Luke 15:10b

Each one of us makes a difference in the heart and life of God.  Each one of us makes a difference in the heart and life of our community, each one.

Do you know how important you are in the life of God in the world?