“Rediscovery may strike a deeper cord than discovery”
(Philip Yancey - What’s So Amazing About Grace?)
I read this line and then went back and reread it. Here, the author Yancey had been talking about the three “lost parables” in the New Testament ~ the lost sheep, the lost coin, the lost son. Each of these parables talk about the feeling of loss, the search, the rediscovery, and the celebration. I doubt that the woman was all that excited the day she first received the coin. Maybe it was just given in exchange for some goods or something like that. But oh the joy when she found that lost coin after much effort and searching! Likewise the shepherd, I’m sure he rejoices over each addition to the sheepfold but still, nothing like the joy of rediscovery after the pain and anguish of knowing your poor little sheep is lost out in the harsh elements alone. And the father. After months of heartache and feelings of loss and aching to feel his arms around his boy, the JOY of seeing his son coming down the path towards him was far more powerful than the joy he felt on the day his son was born.
Perhaps you, too, have experienced this in life. Maybe you had lost a friendship or relationship in your life. What rejoicing and celebration when you reunite with a loved one, or choose to forgive a wrongdoing of a friend or spouse or family member and that close relationship is restored. Maybe you lost your relationship with God and walked away from Him for a time. What a feeling of elation and overwhelming peace when you once again feel His loving arms around you.
Maybe there is something you need to ‘rediscover’ today. Is there someone you need to forgive? Is there someone you need to ask forgiveness of? Is there someone to whom you need to show grace?
Or maybe you are the prodigal child. Maybe you need to come back to the Father and give Him the joy of rediscovery.
”But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' ”
You come walking...He will RUN to you!
