We Will Leave No One Behind

The Lost Sheep – Alford Usher Soord, c. 1898.
St. Barnabas Church, Homerton, East London. Public domain.

“During my time here, I have kept them safe. I guarded them so that not one was lost.” —John 17:12

“If you had one hundred sheep, and one of them strayed away and was lost in the wilderness, wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine others to go and search for the lost one until you found it?” —Luke 15:4

 

I think one of the greatest fears we all have is that of being lost and alone. I can still remember the fear that crushes when I was a small boy in a department store looking at something, and when I lifted my head, my parents were nowhere to be seen. It is not that they were negligent, it is simply that I had stopped when everyone else had kept moving.  When they realized I was missing, they turned around and came back and found me. There is nothing quite so comforting as being found and reunited with those you love.

In the context of that fear, I have been filled with so many emotions over Americans and people who helped us in Afghanistan, who were not able to get to the airport or get past Taliban checkpoints to be lifted out. From first responders rushing into the twin towers on 9/11 to soldiers running back into enemy fire to get a wounded comrade, Americans have always been dedicated to not leaving anyone behind.

To be honest, there are times in life when I feel like God has abandoned me or forgotten me and left me alone in a hostile world. We long for his face to shine upon us so that we know he is there, and yet in the midst of trials it feels like we are alone. In these times, I am comforted by the prayer of Jesus in John that he has not lost even one that the Father gave him (except for Judas). I also take comfort from the fifteenth chapter of Luke where the lost coin is found, the lost sheep is rescued, and the lost son is welcomed back into the Father’s arms. The truth is that I am sure the disciples felt abandoned from time to time. I think of when they cried out to Jesus in the midst of the storm, “Don’t you care that we are about to die?” He rebuked the wind, calmed the seas, and then rebuked them for not having enough faith. I know they must have felt abandoned after they saw him be lifted into the clouds. Yet, he promised before he went, “I will be with you always.” He also sent the Holy Spirit so that he could keep that promise. The bottom line is that the creator of the universe loves each and every one of us individually and we are precious in his sight. He has promised that when we are lost, he will leave the ninety-nine and seek us out. He will lose none of those the Father has entrusted into his care. He is the Good Shepherd. Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. In these troubled times, it is difficult to find a sure foundation upon which to stand. I believe Christ’s promise that he will never abandon us is one of those places.

Let us continue to hold the people of Afghanistan in prayer, and especially lift up those that are in danger and want to come home. We also pray for those who have lost everything because of hurricane Ida. Lord, may the light of your face shine upon them, and may we be instruments that help them find safety, shelter, and rest.

†Bishop Mark