Last week, I took our family to the beach, and had a moment that helped me understand the parable of the lost sheep in a new way. We were all enjoying the sun and waves. Our middle son was having fun on his surfboard, and I was keeping an eye on him while also watching our youngest.
At one point, I noticed our youngest playing with sand and putting it in his mouth. I quickly turned to stop him, thinking I was keeping a close watch on both my sons. But when I looked back to the ocean, I couldn’t see my middle son. My heart started racing as I searched around. There were many people, and I couldn’t spot him.
For a few seconds, I felt worried and anxious. It felt like a long time, even though it was only about ten seconds. Finally, I found him walking toward the shoreline about 25 yards south. I was super relieved to see him, and of course he was totally fine and continued swimming as if nothing happened. Those few seconds of not knowing where he was made me understand how the Good Shepherd feels when one of His sheep is lost.
In the Bible, Jesus talked about a shepherd who had a hundred sheep. When one sheep went missing, the shepherd left the others to search for the lost one. He cared about every single sheep. Just like I was worried about our youngest, the Good Shepherd cares deeply about each one of us.
That day at the beach, with the waves crashing and the sun warming the sand, made me realize how much God cares for us, His “sheep.” Just as I wanted to keep my children safe, God watches over us. He knows the dangers in the world and wants to protect us, just like a shepherd protects his flock.
Sheep are vulnerable and can be attacked by wolves if they are not carefully watched. That’s why it’s vital that when a sheep is lost, the shepherd immediately looks for it in order to bring it back to the fold safely. In the same way, the ocean can be a menace. There are waves that can pull you under, sea creatures that can sting you, and a vast area that can get you lost in a matter of seconds.
Despite all of this, the seagulls’ sound and the waves’ gentle passing now serves as a backdrop to this newfound revelation. So, when I read the parable of the lost sheep now, I can relate to it better. I experienced that feeling of searching and finding, of having my son lost for a moment in dangerous territory then found again, amidst the vast expanse of the beach that mirrored the grandeur of God’s creation. It’s a simple reminder that God’s love for us is like that of a caring shepherd, always looking out for us and ready to bring us back when we wander.
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