Have you ever been lost? When i was eight years old my family went to Knott’s Berry Farm in Southern California. They had at the time Western Stunt Shows that would just erupt in the middle of the park on the walkways. Following one of these shows, i was separated from my family. Panic quickly set in. Yet, being a pretty independent kid, after the initial shock i was able to shift into survival mode. Step one, find a Sherrif (a.k.a. Park Security). i spotted one and sure enough, he knew what to do. After all, they are trained in the art of reuniting lost children with lost parents.

There are times in one’s life where life comes at you full speed and takes you by surprise leaving you feeling lost. At first, you are scrambling to figure out what just happened, that turns into, what must i do to survive?! Survival instincts are natural and necessary but if relied on solely can cause you to begin to lose sight of the big picture. God’s picture. We are going to look at a pretty famous or popular passage of Scripture today found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 & 13. It’s known as the love chapter.

“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. (Love Never Fails) …Three things will last forever–Faith, Hope, and Love–and the greatest of these is LOVE.”

When my family and i were finally reunited there was no casting of judgment on who’s fault it was we were separated. No record kept, no irritations, we rejoiced, the “Sherrif” rejoiced too. We celebrated our love for one another. Our love endured. i didn’t lose hope or faith that i would be brought back together with my family nor did my family. This might seem like a simple story and you might say of course love wasn’t lost in a short amount of time. Surely you would be right. There is a bigger point, however.

This is a story where everything worked properly. i sought the help of a trained professional. In my survival mode, i realized i needed help and didn’t just accept the help of anyone i went to someone trained in these sorts of situations. i let them walk me through it. Because i took proper steps, i was able to come out of this better for it. Often when we get “lost,” we think we need to solve the problem ourselves rather than rely on the help of others who are trained in our specific situation. It isn’t a sign of weakness but courage that one seeks help.

If i had not gone to the “Sherrif” who knows how long i would have been separated from my family. Had my parents not looked for a “help center” things really could have ended up differently. One of the reasons Paul is led by the Spirit to write this, i believe, is to show God’s great love for us and in turn compelling us to love like Him.

When we feel lost, after the initial shock, we need to remember, love never fails. We need to seek the help of someone trained in the area or situation we are facing in that moment. Don’t take the advice of someone who isn’t equipped, no matter how great their intentions the advice might be all wrong. Don’t lose sight of the big picture, which is exactly what the devil will want you to do. Keep focused on the big picture, what does God think of your situation? i bet the answer is…

“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. (Love Never Fails) …Three things will last forever–Faith, Hope, and Love–and the greatest of these is LOVE.”

you are LOVED,
cj