I am a lost sheep
No, I didn’t drop off the sky.
Lost doesn’t mean I’m fatuous
My own “lost” means I am free
Yes, freedom is a choice
And freedom has its costs.
No, my “lost” is not lack of an owner
It means I am without my owner
And I am lost by choice; now led
About by my ever swelling wants;
I wanted change, I wanted assorted
To dare all I was warned off of
To try all and be what I think I can.
Yes, I craved to eat what He said
Not to touch. I longed desperately
Not to be like my Shepherd:
I wanted to be my own shepherd.

Food For Thought: As a youth, I went through persecution for my faith to the point that I was disowned and left to myself for making that independent decision that resulted in going contrary to the denomination into which I was born and raised. I remember for once being left to myself; I could make all my decisions, do whatever I wanted and no Mum or Dad will be breathing down my neck. Freedom felt good but it also had consequences: I was supposed to cater for myself. I remember the Holy Spirit encouraging me not to take that rope and run, to remain under the shadow of my parents’ coverage even if they acted like they didn’t notice or care. I recall resolving not to ask for anything since they decided they don’t want to be bothered if I won’t recant my faith. I recall the Holy Spirit counseling me to take advantage of the few opportunities that came by, allowing them play their roles as parents because they have nothing to lose. Instead I will be the one to bear the loss if I turned down such opportunities. He counseled that because life is in turns, even if I chose not to accept their provisions, when it gets to my turn to take care of them, the fact that they didn’t play their role in my life or that I refused to accept it will not exonerate me from the commandment to honor and care for them. Thereafter, whenever the opportunity came to receive from them, I took advantage of it and when my turn came to take care of them, I gave it my best. Looking back, I am grateful that I made the most of that opportunity then. Freedom has its benefits and consequences, yet it does not exonerate us from our responsibilities.

Scripture: Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. James 1: 13.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I get so easily carried away by all that’s happening around me and I drift: please catch my fall O God, let me not fall out of Your mercy and grace, amen.