Found (08/14/2024)

Yesterday, I traveled into Madison to facilitate a staff retreat for two parishes. When my time there was concluded, I got into my car and headed home. I knew that area of Madison well, or so I thought. But the terrain had changed so much. I tried to use my map on the dash, but the streets were without names. I couldn’t get my bearing. I thought I was headed in the right direction, but nothing looked familiar. So, I pulled into a Kwik Trip, ran into the store, grabbed a bottle of peach tea, and went to the counter.  I looked at the clerk’s name tag and asked, “Pat, I am lost. How do I get to the beltline?” She smiled, told me I was close, and then gave me detailed instructions. As I returned to my car, I thanked the LORD and my guardian angel. I’d been so lost; it felt wonderful to be found.

Life’s like that, in this modern era, and during construction season in Wisconsin, even more so. It is easy to get disoriented or to feel lost. Will we keep going without a sense of direction? Or will we stop and ask for help, for directions?

Our spiritual lives present similar issues. In our day-to-day wanderings and times of feeling lost, who are the Pats along our route? Members of our faith community? Members of our family? Neighbors? Who do we turn to when we know we’ve lost our way? Or do we just keep wandering rather than admit we’re lost?

Will we turn to the LORD? Will we just admit to the LORD we are lost and humbly ask for guidance? Will we let out that cry that alerts the shepherd, the cry that admits “I am lost”? Will we allow the Shepherd to find us, to rescue us? Or will we just keep going on our own, in the wrong direction, away from safety and salvation?

Sometimes we keep going because we’re embarrassed to admit we are lost. Silly. Many of the greatest saints weren’t those with impeccable judgment always. Peter denied the LORD 3 times; Paul persecuted Christians. But they were individuals who recognized when they were lost.

As we journey, let us be aware that the possibility of getting lost in this era is high. Let us not be discouraged. Let us continue our journeys in faith, buoyed by our hope in the LORD, and fueled always with the love of our LORD. Let us be willing to be admit we are lost and seek to be found.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.