I first went to Harvey Cedars when I was 11 with my church youth group for summer camp. It’s been a while since I was last there, so it was particularly fun to go back for the Church Retreat in June. Some things have changed in those decades. Rooms updated, new fire pit, WiFi (didn’t need that in the ‘90s!). Many things are still the same. Beautiful sunsets over the bay, easy walk to the ocean, delicious food. And, above all, a chance to get away from the distractions of the world and focus on God and all He has done for us.
This year’s theme was Lost and Found based on Luke 15:1-30. I know the passage well. The parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. Our speaker Jeff McMullen asked discussion questions each session, one of which was “Where have you been found by Christ after being lost?” Thank goodness small group discussion time ran out before it was my turn because I was drawing blank. Having grown up in the church, I have never related to the lost and prodigal. Through all my years of school and adulthood, I have always been a member and regular attender of a church.
Because of all that, I have always known, if I’m anyone in that parable, I’m the elder son. He stayed behind and followed the rules. Yet, I’m not exactly like him. Unlike the big brother, I’ve never resented the prodigal son being welcomed back.
Unfortunately, that puts me in a worse position. I’m not knowingly lost like the sheep and younger son. I’m with the flock. Further, I’m not the elder son being chastised by the father. I’m celebrating the return of the prodigal son. How can I be lost when I’m right where I’m supposed to be—and truly, with all my heart, believe Jesus died for my sins and that is the only reason I am going to heaven—and rejoice when others believe? Not lost, so no need to be found.
In the weeks since the retreat, I have continued to ponder how I fit into this passage. I have come to realize I am the lost coin. The coin doesn’t know it is lost because it doesn’t have consciousness, and I often am unconsciously lost because nothing about me looks “lost.” While I am not lost eternally, I am repeatedly lost temporally.
As Jesus says to the Pharisees in Luke 15:7, “…there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who do not need to repent.” The Pharisees think they are not lost and, therefore, do not need to repent. Too often, I relax because I am with the ninety-nine, yet one of the big points of these parables is that we are *all* the lost sheep. There is no such thing as the “ninety-nine righteous people.” Paul underscores this in Romans, “There is no one righteous, not even one…” (Romans 3:10).
It’s hard to admit that I keep forgetting things I know. Frustratingly embarrassing. This year’s retreat reminded me that, until I am made perfect in heaven, I will always be prone to wander. And, praise God, He will always be calling to me and consistently giving me opportunities, like the retreat, where I am reminded of the Truth.
Even when I don’t know I am lost, God does, and He always runs after me until I am found.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart; O take and seal it;
Seal it for thy courts above.
“Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” by Robert Robinson.
Pam Schopp and her husband Andrew are members of GRC. She and her family have attended GRC since 2022.