DAILY DEVOT IONAL 14
Greg Impink
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? - Matthew 18:12, NRSVUE
In 2023, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy named loneliness an epidemic, citing its adverse effects on our physical health. The necessitated isolation of the Covid-19 pandemic has only increased these feelings. In addition factors that are beyond our control, we have self-segregated into our own camps by splitting into Republican versus Democrat, Liberal versus Conservative, Traditional versus Contemporary, etc.
One of the greatest hurts in this world is when we feel alone. When we become isolated, it’s easy to feel as if no one is thinking of us. No one cares about us. No one would notice if we weren’t here.
Some of the times whenever church members feel the most hurt is whenever they stop showing up, and no one seems to notice. This phenomenon is not unique to church members though. Our partners, our kids, our parents — everyone wants to feel pursued. Even clergy want to feel pursued by denominational leaders. To know that we’re not alone, to know that someone is out there, noticing us, and going to come after us when we go missing.
In this broken world, it can feel like no one is looking out for us. No one is pursuing us. The pastor didn’t visit. Our partner didn’t plan the date. Our kids didn’t call. Our parents didn’t show up. We’re struggling without any support.
As Christ’s representatives, we are supposed to pursue people. But sometimes, the only bit of redemptive healing is knowing that God pursues us, even when others don’t. Jesus notices, and he doesn’t neglect us. Jesus still leaves the 99 in search of the one who has gone missing
QUESTIONS:
1. How can you pursue people to help heal the wound of loneliness?
2. What comfort do you take in knowing that God pursues us, even when others don’t?
PRAYER:
Triune God, We have failed to live into the ideals of community. We have not checked in on our neighbors, especially those with whom we disagree. Forgive us, and heal us. Comfort us in our loneliness. In the name of the One who leave the 99 to seek the one, Amen.
HYMNS, SONGS, OR ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Listen to this song to meditate on how God “chases [us] down, fights ’til [we’re] found, leaves the ninety-nine.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sc6SSHuZvQE