“Now this is what the Lord says to the family of Israel: “Come back to me and live!” Amos 5:4, NLT

We all sway or lose our way occasionally. But remember that no one crashes and burns in a day; for example, when a godly man or woman loses their way, and their sin is made public. Many folks will say, “I am so surprised, it just doesn’t make sense or how could this happen to them?” I want to assure you, it started way before you found out about it. It was what I call a slow fade.

They faded away from their devotions, or they started looking at porn, or they lost control of their drinking or pain medication. Maybe their loving marriage was beginning to dissolve. Then ‘pow’ – it happened, and everyone is shocked but God. He saw them beginning to drift from Him. To them it may have felt like Jesus was gone out of their life.

Listen, you are not the only one who left Jesus behind:

“After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t miss him at first, because they assumed he was among the other travelers. But when he didn’t show up that evening, they started looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they couldn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there.” Luke 2:43-45, NLT

Mary must have been shocked, and Joseph stunned, when they realized that they had lost the Son of God. Did you hear me: they lost the Savior of the World! They must have been in panic mode.

One day, our family went to Disneyworld on vacation. It was a sunny day, and then it began to sprinkle rain for an hour or so. My oldest granddaughter had a yellow Disney raincoat on. One moment she was by my side and then she seemed to disappear. I said, out loud, “Where’s Ari?” I was beginning to panic, and I turned around to look at the crowd and saw that there were hundreds of children, and they were all wearing yellow Disney raincoats. My terror went to a new level until I heard my daughter say, “Dad, she’s right here.” Oh boy, was I relieved and embarrassed – but mostly relieved.

Mary and Joseph lost Jesus the Son of God and they did not find him for three whole days. They did something that we should all do in times when we feel that we have left Jesus behind in our life. “And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.” (Luke 2:45, KJV)

Have you lost Jesus in your life? Have you left Him behind? Then do what Mary and Joseph did – turn and go back to ‘Jerusalem’, to where you last were with Him. Go back to the Bible, go back to prayer, go back to church, go to your Prayer Closet. You will find Him again.

CONFESSION

Today I come back to You, Lord.

PRAY

Lord, I am so sorry for drifting from you again. You have been so, so good to me. Yet your Word it says that I can come boldly into your throne room of grace to obtain mercy and grace in time of need. Lord, I am in need of your grace, your mercy and your presence. I know you already have forgiven me; I have that blessed assurance deep in my heart of hearts. Thank you, Lord; I ask that your Holy Spirit would refresh my walk so I can again walk in the Spirit and not fulfil the lust of the flesh. Amen.