The Love Problem

4/25/2021

“If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.”

Why do you think the good shepherd leaves the 99 that stay at home and stay in line, to seek the one? Why do you think he does that?

Perhaps because it’s not a math problem. Perhaps it’s because he knows the names, the histories, and the stories of every one of his sheep.

He knows the name of the one who wandered off. It’s not a math problem. It’s a love problem.

I’d call it VERY good news that “not being perfect” evokes this response—if we sincerely Re-Turn.

It keeps the HOPE door SO open.

I’m Grateful love conquers math!

Wow. That would sure be true if one of our children somehow wandered off in a park or store. Definitely not a math problem. And that’s “We, being evil...”

And if the other sheep see it right, they couldn’t possibly be jealous that the one who wandered off is the “favorite” or “more special,” because they know He’d do the exact same for them in a heartbeat...

AND if the other sheep could follow and help the Shepherd, they would. Because they also know the name and history of that sheep—and Love! Y’all have been there for me!

“... and they will be one flock, with one Shepherd.”

“He who is forgiven much loves much.” And... “There is no remedy for love but to love more.” (Henry David Thoreau) Oh, to be entrapped there.