John Eldridge has written a little book entitled EPIC, in which he reminds us of the story of the greatest Hero of all time. When paradise was ruined after Adam and Eve’s sin, man lost innocence, authority, and unbroken fellowship with God. Who would take back what was stolen? The Son who, from the beginning was with God and who was God, said, “Here am I, send Me!” So Jesus came as a man, the second Adam, and resisted every temptation the devil threw at Him. He lived a full life, spotless and free. And He laid down that life at Calvary, according to the will of the Father. At the Cross, the price was paid… and on the third day the Resurrection sealed the Victory that gives us all hope. “I have come to bring Life!” is the Savior’s claim.
Those who have received Him know that His valiant rescues are ongoing. “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home.” The ‘found sheep’ then becomes a part of His Story and the great purposes of the Father are discovered.
Granted, we don’t always realize the ‘great purposes’ God has in mind for us, but every now and then we get a glimpse. This past Monday, John’s mom celebrated one year of freedom from alcohol and drugs. Family members, church friends, and several of our neighbors accepted the invitation of Terri’s Christ-centered support group to honor and encourage this young mother who is running the race set before her. There were few dry eyes in the room as her dad stood before the group and shared how proud he was of his little girl. And a Father in Heaven smiled as Terri humbly shared that without God and without all the friends present, she would never have been able to make it.
Of course her journey is far from over, but more and more Terri realizes the impact her life has on others. And a little boy, who will have his first birthday next month, is the one most blessed.
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me – just as the Father knows me and I know my Father – and I lay my life down for my sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.” Jn 10:14-16
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” Jn 15:12