Lost Sheep

Matthew 4:10

Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Am I only one who is awed by this man we call Brother? Satan is a powerful force. His temptations are stronger than I can bear at times. But I want to change that. I want to follow in the Lord’s example, and tell this other brother – this one of darkness – to leave me be and go on his way.

Christ was tempted, and He shook not, nor did He turn against all He was. He stood strong against this adversary and I have faith – faith – that I can do the same. I want nothing more than to do this, and to do this well.

If any of you are close to me, you know that I have my ups and downs (As we all do!) – many times when life is too much, or when I simply ask too much of myself. We all do it. Why? Because we’re human. But does it do us any good? Not really.

Today, in Seminary, we discussed a video which featured the parable of the lost sheep. This parable is found in Luke 15, verses 3 through 7.

3. And he spake this parable unto them, saying,

4. What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

5. And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

6. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

7. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

He rejoices! If that isn’t comfort, I don’t know what is. He searches for us day and night, helping us find our way home. And when we reach there, He rejoices. Not only are we saved and happy, but He is happy as well. We mean that much to Him. We really do.

So when we find ourselves lost, tempted by Satan and the world around us, let’s not forget our brother – Jesus Christ, whose arms are open and ready for us; whose shoulders are ready to hold us, if we only go towards his light – towards the torch he carries in the darkness of night.

Can it really be that simple? Yes, I believe it can, and that it is. It’s the simple things – the daily choices we make – that truly make our lives. Let’s not take for granted anything we do, say or think. Let’s anchor them all in truth and righteousness, and rejoice along with our brother on our way down this path.

And no matter where we might be on that path - even if we're still trying to find it - He's there for us. He's with us always, and it's never too late to choose to be found.

Remember - it is a choice.

2 Nephi 2:25

… and men are, that they might have joy.

Bonnie Gwyn