Finding That Which is Lost

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Here’s a fun little story, with a lesson I wish I had kept in mind better as a missionary.  When my trainer and I went to my first area in the field we had to run around like crazy trying to get legally registered in our apartment.  One day, during this crazy first week, my companion reached into his bag to get our registration slip to make a copy.  To his horror, the slip was not there.  We retraced our steps from the day’s activities, searching frantically because there is an unfortunately large fine for losing your registration. 

As tension mounted I suggested we pray.  We did, and continued our search.  As we headed back to our apartment, my companion prepared to make the call to the mission office to explain our situation.  Suddenly, a construction worker who was working by our apartment building called after us, “Hey Americans!  Did you lose something?”

Miraculously, this worker had found our registration on the street, held on to it, recognized us, and sold it back to us.  I was so grateful for the miraculous answer to our prayer!  Looking back, I think of what Jesus said to his apostles in Luke chapter 12.   Jesus points out that sparrows are super cheap, but “not one of them is forgotten before God.”  He then explains that they, the apostles, are more important to God than sparrows, so they can trust that he will take care of them.  I think how insignificant that registration paper was compared to the worth of a soul.  If God, then, could help us miraculously find a registration paper, how much more willing will he be to help us find those who are lost, but seeking the truth? 

I know that God prepares his children to receive the gospel.  I know He will help us find them if we will ask in faith.