“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over when one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:8 – 10
Have you ever lost something you cherished for 19 years? This was my situation on a busy evening cleaning our home, completing tasks for my wife and helping kids with homework. I sat in my chair and touched my finger. My fingers have slimmed since my wedding, and I established a routine of using my left thumb to turn my band on my left ring finger. My wedding band was missing! The untanned ring of skin that encircled my finger was evidence that something was missing. Now my involuntary motion caused by muscle memory was just touching the bare skin on my hand. I proceeded to search for my wedding ring the next few days with no success. I drafted my children to locate the precious metal. After a week, I resigned to the fact the ring was lost. Of course, I was still married. It’s just a small trinket I have possessed for 19 years that’s been with me from the beginning was no more.
Ministry has been a pleasure helping the young men I disciple grow in their faith. The men have been inviting others to help with Cru Youth. It has been great to see them involve others to help teach these 90+ learners every week. Along with discipling these volunteers, I also mentor staff. I had the opportunity to witness with one of the young staff women (Nyameka) on our team. We were at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) during a special day of outreach. It was inspiring to see her display our new digital evangelism tools from her smartphone. She opened the Jesus Film mobile app and showed a one-minute film called, “Delight.” The UWC student enjoyed the engaging questions after the presentation. Nyameka then utilized the digital Four Spiritual Laws from the God Tools mobile application. The young student then received Christ in her life. This witnessing experience continues to remind me there is rejoicing in heaven when one sinner repents.
When I returned home from the outreach, Melanie declared, “I found it.” The white gold band with the ribbed edges hid the untanned section of my finger again. My family and everyone I told about the missing wedding ring rejoiced with me.
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