Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him.

~Luke 2:44-45 NIV

LOST

Our youngest son could unlock a door, turn the deadbolt, and go outside at a young age. We were always terrified because we lived near a busy road. But losing Jesus. That’s another story. 

One evening, we couldn’t find him. We searched inside and outside the house. Panic set in and we were about to call our neighbors for help when we finally found him hiding from us. Somehow, we overlooked him in his hiding place. Relief replaced our panic, knowing he was safe even though he scared us half to death. After this, for his safety and our peace of mind, we installed locks with chains at the top of every door inside the house that led outside.   

Sometimes in our Christian walk, we might feel like Mary and Joseph. We may panic because we can’t seem to find Jesus. Did we lose him? Wasn’t He just here? We begin backtracking, searching high and low, and recalling our last encounter–trying to pinpoint the place where we lost contact. We feel as if we’ve lost Jesus. But we haven’t, and He isn’t. We didn’t leave Him behind anywhere by accident. And He sure isn’t hiding from us as my son did.

“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”

~Luke 2:49 NIV

FOUND

When we feel as if we’ve lost Jesus, it may be that He’s just busy doing the work of His Father. This work might involve some silence. A trust test may be going on. And aren’t teachers quiet while administering a test?  

We may go through a season of learning, or God may reveal truth to us in another way. Then, He implements a test. Afterward, we may see incredible things happen or have a spiritual breakthrough.  

Christians never lose Jesus. He’s with us no matter what. He hasn’t left us, and He never will. Trust Him even more in His silence because He is trustworthy, faithful, and loves us too much to ever leave us.

Learn to trust Jesus, even when He’s silent. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for my inability to lose Jesus. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2024: Losing Jesus: Melinda Cooper: All Rights Reserved