Nothing is Ever Lost

(Luke 21:18 MSG)  Even so, every detail of your body and soul--even the hairs of your head!--is in my care; nothing of you will be lost.

When I was growing up in the 40s and 50s it seemed that every department store had a lost and found department. I often wondered how so many people could lose so many things…but apparently they did because that department seemed to always be busy. The lost and found department was created to serve people because they seemed to have a propensity for losing or misplacing things.

However, according to our text, losing things is not a trait that comes from the Lord. He never loses or forgets anything except for our forgiven sins.

Our text also makes the point that God is a God of details even to the point of  numbering the hairs on our heads. Perhaps that point was meant to be a lesson for us so we would give more attention to the details in our life as well.

I was actually reminded of the subject of details a few days ago when I was invited to spend a couple of days at Key Allegro which is a resort island on the Gulf Coast. All of the homes there are beautiful and spacious with canals running in back of each one for parking one’s boat.

My wife and I usually like to go to the coast each year for a little rest and relaxation. Because we have both family and friends who own second homes there, the invitation is always open for us to go.

When we do go to the coast, my wife and I both love to stand out on the balcony and feed the seagulls…they are an amazing bird. However, there are times when you go out and look for them and they are nowhere to be found.  As a matter of fact the sky appears to be completely void of seagulls until you throw a piece of bread in the air and all of a sudden one appears from nowhere and catches the piece of bread before it hits the ground. A squawk from that one seagull signals all of the other seagulls and before you know it the sky is full of them.

As a result of that I am always reminded how God is a God of order, and that He even created the seagulls to exhibit His order. In other words the seagulls never lose the bread and neither does God lose us.

Over the years I have counseled many folks that feel alone and think that God is nowhere to be found. The fact is, He is much closer than one thinks. As for me, when I throw bread into the air to attract seagulls I cannot help but think that the lesson for us is to send up a simple cry for help when in need to attract the Lord. We are much more important than seagulls.

(Jeremiah 33:3 KJV)  Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

While resting and relaxing at the coast I also enjoy the food, the breeze, the smells, the sunsets and the ocean noises. However, the thing I enjoy the most is the reminder that God is a God of details even through His creation of simple little seagulls. You might even say that seagulls are a lesson on wings.

Father,

Thank You for creating the whole world to be a living breathing lesson for us to live in. Thank You Lord that You have given us eyes to see and ears to hear. I especially thank You Lord that You really do care about the smallest of details in our lives; the pain, the loneliness, the needs, the love…and oh yes, the hairs on our heads.

Amen