When I hear the story of the lost sheep and the lost coins, I hope that all of us have the experience of believing that we MATTER so deeply to God that we are like the lost sheep the shepherd leaves the flock to find. But I suspect – and I have certainly felt myself at times – that some of us have been left wondering whether we matter so much to the rest of God’s people. Sure, the shepherd might come looking for us… but would the other 99 even notice we’re lost?

The challenge with a parable like this is that it’s tempting to categorize everyone as either “lost” or “found” when the reality is that we are both. All of us have parts of ourselves that feel lost, hidden, unknown or unwelcome in the flock. And all of us MATTER so deeply to God, who searches and knows every single part of us that God welcomes us to bring our whole selves to His table, where we receive forgiveness and grace and love and are nourished to share those same gifts with the world.

God shows us through one another how deeply we MATTER: through the gracious reception of others when our lost parts show up, through people who have been patient and kind to us when we feel most lost and alone, through the witness of people like Paul who spend their lives telling others about how deep and wide and expansive God’s love and grace really is.

Our work together – as God’s lost and found – is about extending this same love and grace. Trying to understand and see and appreciate others. Showing each other that they matter as much to us as they matter to God.

May you carry this promise with you as you move through your week:

God knows every bit of you and loves you just the
way you are. Your voice, your presence, your
worship matters to God and to the BLC community!
Claimed by God in the waters of baptism and fed at Christ’s table of mercy,
YOU MATTER!