Are You A Lost Boy (or Girl)? Jeremiah 29:10-14

 

“When you come looking for me, you’ll find me."

“Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.” God’s Decree

Jeremiah 29:13-14 (The Message)

 

Some days I feel pretty lost.

Do you ever feel a little lost - like you're not sure which direction you are supposed to go?

Do you ever feel like you are in a boat - in the middle of the ocean - and you don't have an paddle?

 

Feelings of being lost, discouraged and uncertain about the future are part of being human. These feelings can come on gradually and rise to a peak of paralyzing fear or they can rush at you suddenly due to unforeseen circumstances. Regardless of how one becomes lost - the end results are pretty much the same. Hopelessness, defeated-ness and becoming a Lost Boy (or Girl) - just like in Peter Pan.

 

The Lost Boys are the orphans in Peter Pan's crew in Never Land.

They are little boys who never grow up because they do not know which way to grow.

They are discouraged and alone, but yet unable and unwilling to move from their hideaway in Never Land.

They stopped looking for their families. They stopped seeking the love of their fathers and mothers. They chose to make a home in a land far away from who they really are meant to be.

 

We can become like the Lost Boys.

We can wallow in our discouragement, uncertainty and bad decisions.

We can allow that wallow to deepen and grow until we stop seeking out Our Father and the love He has for each of us - a love that has inspired an unique plan for each of our lives.

 

I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.

Jeremiah 29:11 (The Message)

 

Being lost isn't sinful. It is a part of life.

Staying lost is a choice. A choice that will dampen the plan God has for you.

 

When those feelings of being lost and uncertain seem to overwhelm you - seek comfort in the Lord.

When the anxiety and fear of your life consume you - seek refuge in the Lord.

When life's burdens seem to be too great for you to carry - seek help from the Lord.

 

When you seek God with all your heart - YOU WILL FIND HIM.

He promises.

 

He will never forsake you.

He will always be with you.

Even when you are lost.

Even if you become a Lost Boy - He will still be there waiting for you to seek Him.

 

I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity."

Jeremiah 29:13

 

He will always be there - even for the most Lost of Lost Boys and Girls.

Just turn around....He is right there waiting for you.

 

Scripture

Jeremiah29:10-14

 

Quote

Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.
- Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

Question

 

When do you feel most lost? How can you ask God to help you during those times?

Doing the Church Things...

Spiritual Disciplines or "church things" - Prayer, Fasting, Worship, Service, Study, Tithing, Fellowship - to name a few are all actions in our lives which can draw us closer to the heart of God.

Or they can distance us from Him. 

We have standard prayers we pray. We have a set time of the year when fasting is suggested. We have a pattern to our worship time. We have specific committees which organize service activities. We have organized Bible Studies. We have a frame work on how we should give our tithe. And our times of fellowship are generally predetermined and set in motion.

With all of the pre-set ways of doing things, it can be very easy to "go through the motions" of our religious activities, without allowing the Spirit to motivate the activities. We can become so caught up with the "doing" of something that we forget the "motivation" for it. The "doing" becomes more important than God, and in the "doing" we actually step further away from God all while we are acting in His name.

In spiritual disciplines, as in all things in life, our underlying motivation should be, "What does God want?"

When we pray our focus should be on God and His desires - what His will is for us.

When we fast, we shouldn't make it about the food we are not eating, but about how God wants to use the fasting to draw us closer to Him.

Our worship should be focused on lifting up our praises to God and remembering with a thankful heart what He has done in our lives and in the lives of others.

Our service should be motivated out of being the hands and feet of Christ - wherever and whenever they are needed - not just when it is scheduled and organized.

Studying the Word of God should be an ongoing activity which happens throughout everyday of our lives - not just when someone organizes a study - to learn more about Who God is.

When we tithe, we should be giving from our best - not our leftovers. Tithing is more than giving money it is giving God our best.

And fellowship should be a constant activity for people of faith. Fellowship motivated by a spirit of charity and love is something which builds up the people of God and strengthens the Church, drawing the whole Body of Christ closer to Him.

God wants us to seek Him first in all things we do.

God doesn't want us to put regiments around everything we do - rather He wants us to focus on building our relationship with Him. He wants us to want  to want to spend time with Him, working for Him, learning about Him, loving Him.

Discipleship takes practice - but it also takes a heart seeking out Jesus. As we draw nearer to God, the disciplines, the church things, will become less of a duty and more of a way of life; they will become the framework for an ongoing, deepening relationship with Jesus.

Scripture

Isaiah 58:6-14

Quote of the Day

"David wasn't thinking of being king when he was tending sheep; he was just doing what God sat before him."

John Fisher

Question of the Day

What is your favorite "church" thing to do and why?