A Scripture Reflection from Pam Simpson
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. –Romans 8:38-39
My family affectionately calls me “180 Pam.” If I turn left, they know to immediately turn right because I am the poster child for directionally challenged people. I am so grateful for the invention of the Global Positioning System – GPS.
Getting lost and somehow finding my way to my intended target has been a lifelong struggle. I cringe, remembering the days before GPS, when trying to read a map and drive and figure out up from down and left from right made every journey a real adventure.
Those times when I did not know where I was but knew where I desperately wanted to be made for some scary moments. I remember once when I was 23-years old, setting out to drive eight hours from Birmingham to my Mom’s home in West Virginia – all alone – with no phone. I found myself parked in a field somewhere near Huntsville. I was supposed to be heading to Knoxville, Tennessee but took wrong turns and ended up way off course. It was late afternoon and I did not know which way to go.
I just sat there for a few minutes, looked around, and remember saying, “God, I am lost. Please help me find my way home.” I closed my eyes, and just a few moments later a farmer came up on a tractor, and said, “Miss, I think you might need some directions!” He guided me back to the road, gave me some instructions which I wrote down, and I made it home that night.
In relating my stories of getting lost, I have often said, “God takes care of the innocent.” He does that and so much more! Feeling lost does not just happen when you cannot physically find your way from point A to point B. I have been lost at life’s crossroads when I did not know which way to turn. I have been lost when I talk to God and sometimes have not heard his voice. I have been lost when anger takes over and blocks what I need to hear. I have been lost when I try to provide my own answer and it just does not work out.
God knows my weaknesses and he expects me to take wrong turns. Getting back on course brings such joy because he puts me where I need to be. God always meets me where I am and draws me back to the security only his love can provide. It is by his grace that I am found, rescued, restored. The beloved hymn Amazing Grace expresses his unending love far better than I can. Read aloud or sing the words right now and rejoice in knowing you are never lost from God.
Amazing grace! how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch; like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!
The Lord hath promised good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we first begun.