¹² What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? ¹³ And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray.

Matthew 18:12-13

The Lost Pelican

I was walking on the beach the other morning, and saw the Pelicans flying in a long line close to the ocean’s edge. Eventually I noticed one Pelican alone floating on the surface of the ocean maybe 100 yards away. Then I watched as three of the Pelican’s flew away from the line to the one alone, and the one alone flew up on from the surface of the water, to join them in the line. What a reassuring sight that was! It is in our nature not to leave behind and forget the one who might be lost.

Just like the Shepherd in the scripture and the Pelican’s in the ocean’s sky, we are created not to leave each other alone, we are created to go looking for the lost, and bring them back into community. Oh – it’s easier to decide to just mind our own business, and care for ourselves. It’s easier to stay flying with the crowd in the sky. But when we see that person who is all alone, when we notice that person who has lost their way – we have the chance to be inviters, and show them the way to be part of something bigger than all of us. We get to open our hearts and minds to what might just be the moment in which we get to be part of finding someone who really wants to be part of the story.

Prayer: Dear God, Help me open my eyes, and notice the people you want me to have eyes to see this day. In Jesus Name, Amen

Reflection Questions:

1. If you noticed someone who was lost, what would you say?
2. What community could you invite someone to join, and how would you issue the invitation?
3. Where might you encounter someone who is lost?