Luke 15: 1-32

Perhaps many of us have an experience of being lost.  The most common is in a car and not being familiar with our surroundings.   We could get lost in a crowd or in a building, and we just cannot find our way back to a familiar path.  We need someone to give us directions back to the right path.  Someone has said " of all th4e things that I have lost, I miss my mind the most!"  

Have you ever really been lost?  If you have, it can be a frightening experience.  These feelings can be even more pronounced when we feel spiritually lost. When we do feel spiritually lost, we usually avoid these feelings.

Years ago I attended a college weekend retreat in the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee.  My self and five other friends decided to go on a hike.  Once we hiked a mile or so, we strayed further away from our campground. I felt as though I should turn around and go back the way we came, but reluctantly followed the other guys.  By night-fall  I knew we were in trouble.  We walked most of the night trying to follow old hunting trails, paths made by jeeps and four-wheelers.

We crossed many streams stumbling through the dark woods trying to avoid tree branches.  If it were not for the moonlight, we would not have been able to travel at all.  What a mess we were in, tired, hungry, and our feet were wet and worn.  When ever we saw a distant light we would scream out for help to no avail.

We decided to stop and rest until dawn.   When daylight came we all wondered where we were and noticed that aback hunting cabin was nearby.   We went inside and found that hunters had hung some oatmeal packets and other provisions from the rafters out of reach of animals.

There was a wood stove that we fired up and got some water from a nearby steam.  We ate a little, warmed our feet by the stove and dried out our socks.

After this we decided to move on.   There was a horrible feeling of being lost and alone.  At the end of the trail that we were on was a large river with swift currents.  Some of the other guys suggested that we find a log and float down river; I am glad that we voted against that idea.

So, we turned around and began walking back from where we came. and at that moment we heard and noticed a jeep about 2 miles away.  We screamed and yelled for help so they would notice us.  Finally they did and began to come our way.  The jeep had two men who could only let three ride at a time.  It was very rough mountain terrain.

They told us that we were twenty miles from our campground.  About half- way home we met a Forrest  Ranger who set out looking for us "Pathfinders" as we were fondly called.  I was never so happy to be back at camp just in time for the final meal of the retreat.

The Ranger told us that we were luck.  There were poisonous snakes and wild boar where we were.  He further said that some get lost for weeks, and others have never been found.

This was a life changing experience for me.  More serious is being lost s[iritually.  Most people try to avoid thinking about their spiritual condition, and some would deny the idea of being spiritually lost.

In the Bible being spiritually lost is found in both testaments Old and New.  We all have been created by God according to his word, and whether we believe it or not does not change anything.  However it could change your destiny.  We have been created by God and belong to Him.  We are born alienated from God and do not know him because we have a  inherited sin condition.  When we become aware of our separation from God, we either move toward him or away from him.

Being spiritually lost is being without a relationship with God.  He desires for us to know him and be in relationship with him.  Luke 19:10   For the son of man has come to seek and save the lost."  (KJV).

Prayer:  Dear God, help me to see that without you I am lost.  As you are seeking me, may I be found of you, and restored to a right relationship with you.  Amen