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“Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven. 12 What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. 14 So it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.

 

There is a tension in the Church between faith centered on “me” versus “we”. I personally lean heavier into the corporate/communal/we nature of faith. When I read scripture, my internal voice always asks questions like “How do we incorporate this into the Church?” or “How can this aid me to be a better part of the God’s Kingdom?” I understand the call of a more personal relationship with God and that for many, that one-on-one spiritual relationship is fundamental to their faith.

 

Despite my heavy connection to the corporate nature of faith, Jesus sure has a way of reminding me how much God cares about me personally. Whether it's a lost sheep, a lost coin, or a prodigal son, Jesus points to how dearly God cares about every one of His children. God rejoices in my repentance and delights in my worship. He reaches out when I stumble and wraps me in His love when I am broken. As much as I try to be a cog in the machine, I am still a wonder in His sight. Maybe today I will bask in that singular love that God has for me. Then I can jump back tomorrow into my “we” focused life; restored, reenergized and refocused.

 

Abba, thank you for your unending love. Amen.

 

Chad Ryberg

Cryberg@livinglord.org

 

Prayer Concern: Those seeking connection with God