On February 13th, my family and I joined thousands of others to rally and walk at the 2020 March for Life. It was a privilege to converge on the capitol in Richmond to say (and shout) unequivocally that we believe in life because we believe our Creator created all of life. I’m thankful that we, as the churches of the SBC of Virginia, have the opportunity to band together around important Biblical tentpoles and show the world our unity and love. (more information about the Virginia March for Life)
While marching around the streets of Richmond in a slight drizzle that afternoon, my 7-year-old daughter, Lily, dropped a stuffed animal she was holding and didn’t notice it until a little later. When they went back to search for it, it was gone. My wife, Wendy, said to a sad second grader to pray and believe that God would somehow bring it back to her. By the time they reached the end of the march, there was still no stuffed animal. While waiting against a metal fence near the capitol for me, Lily noticed the young woman beside her had something that looked familiar. This stranger, who had been marching in a different group and a different time, approached Lily. She had in her hand Lily’s stuffed animal. Lily was so happy when her lost item was returned — and truthfully, so were we. Does God answer the prayers of His children? Yes! Does He care about lost things? Absolutely!
In Luke 15, Jesus tells three parables — all about lost things: a sheep, a coin, and a son. In each story, there was such sadness when these things were lost. When the lost item was found there was much rejoicing. In fact, the person who found their lost item asked others to rejoice with them and even threw a celebration.
God has placed each of us in a mission field with people who are lost. SBC of Virginia churches are currently using two resources to help train and encourage us to get out into that mission field. Missions such as Who’s Your ONE? and Bless Every Home gets us thinking about that “one lost sheep” needing to be found and then to take action steps to pray for, care for, share with, and then disciple those friends, neighbors, and co-workers. In just a little more than a year, we’ve seen almost 190,000 homes that are now directly “adopted.” We’ve had dozens of training sessions and prayer times. Many church members have identified their “one” and are now actively praying and sharing their faith.
The need is so great. But there is a real, renewed sense of urgency in SBC of Virginia churches about this need and that the time is short. Let us not forget to rejoice and celebrate what God has done and what He is doing as each church focuses on evangelism and as each “one” comes to faith in Christ. I know heaven is rejoicing. ■
