I remember at Christmas time one year when we were at a particular store in the mall. Our two older boys were out in the car waiting for us. We had the three other children with us. As we were walking along my daughter, who I believe was around 4 or 5 at the time, was fascinated with trying to skip the squares on the floor. It was multicolored as I recall and she was trying to walk on just a certain color.
The store we were in had an access door to the mall but also had access doors to the outside. We had looked at what we had come for so we headed to an outside door. When we got outside we realized that our daughter was not with us. Panic struck us.
At this point our older boys joined us in heading back into the store to search for her. It had just been seconds but she was nowhere to be seen. My heart was sinking at this point. I had already lost one daughter to death and I was imagining another daughter to kidnapping. I was definitely in a panic.
We talked to the store and they too, immediately, started looking. I don’t think it was a really long time but it seemed like eternity when one of the workers came around the corner with her in their arms. What a relief it was to see her. I can’t even explain the feeling I had at that point.
What happened is that she was following the squares on the floor and when we turned to go out the door she didn’t notice and kept going straight. When she did look up and realize we were gone she hid in some clothes, which was why we could not find her. She learned her lesson very well. For many years after that she would be so close to me in the store, hanging onto a piece of clothing, that I could hardly move to get my shopping done. Even to this day she stays very close to me.
Do you know someone who is lost spiritually? Maybe you feel in panic mode and you are not sure what to do. It may be a loved one or a friend and you know that they’re in a lost condition and it is a life or death situation. They have been kidnapped by the devil and you want to get them back.
There is One, Jesus Christ that loves them even more than you can possibly love them. He is the one that can reach their hearts. But you do have a part to play.
I believe one of the most important things for you to do is to live a Christ like life. I think one of the biggest problems that people see in Christians is their hypocrisy. Does that mean you will never make a mistake? No. But the trend of your life needs to show a Christ like love that is obedient to Him, not wavering. They need to feel your love despite their choices in life. And when the opportunity rises for you to share anything about the love of God they will believe it because they have seen Jesus in you.
Another very important factor is to pray for them. Be specific in your prayers. God does not force anyone; they do have to choose Him. But, I believe, your prayers give Him permission to work in ways that He could not. Pray for them earnestly. Pray for yourself that the Lord will give you wisdom.
You need to be a listening ear without speaking. They may say things that you want to gasp at but restrain yourself. Being a listening ear and just loving them is such a key. As you learn more from what they share it gives you more things that you can specifically pray about.
Dear Father,
Guide us as we reach out to those around us that we love. We need your guidance and wisdom. I pray that you will protect those that are lost from the evil one as we continue to love and work with them. Help us to live a life that will draw them to You.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Remember to stay close to Jesus so that you can live a life that will so fully reflect Him that all who are seeking will know that Jesus does love them because it has been demonstrated through you.
Love you all.
Share your own ideas below on what has helped you help others that are in need of spiritual guidance.