LightGrams
December 5, 2019
Volume 23, Number 38
Heather Langley is a jeweler who works in Bessemer, Alabama. In the summer of 2018 a customer told her about a ring he found in the early 1990s while working at Mount Bachelor in Bend, Oregon. Langley began searching for the ring’s owner using first names engraved inside the band and the location where the ring had been found.
Melisse De La Mare of Portland, Oregon was skiing on Mount Bachelor in 1992 when she lost her wedding ring. It was particularly precious since it was also an heirloom, having belonged to her husband’s mother. But how does one search for a ring that has been dropped in the snow on a mountain? A needle in a haystack?
Langley’s sleuthing skills are apparently excellent, for she found De La Mare and heard the story of her lost wedding band. She recently made a trip to Portland to deliver the lost precious object personally. The two have since become close friends.
Portland is nearly 2,500 miles from Bessemer. 1992 was 27 years ago. How amazing is it that one small ring was reunited with the owner to whom it was so precious?!
Jesus told three parables in Luke 15 that focus on recovering what had been lost. In one of those He spoke of a woman who lost one silver coin. Though she still had nine other coins, she began a tireless search for the one. Upon finding it she urged her friends to “rejoice with me” (Luke 15:9). The same theme is found in the parables of the lost sheep and the lost son. Something precious was restored to its rightful place.
When Jesus saves us, we’re no longer lost (Luke 19:10). But what about those around us who have not yet allowed Jesus to rescue them? Consider the words of Galatians 6:1: “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” Those who are spiritually minded will act like Heather Langley did, seeking to return that which is lost (the sinner) to the rightful Owner (the Lord).
The principle was stated in the Law of Moses: “If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey going astray, you shall surely bring it back to him again” (Exodus 23:4). How much more would it apply to helping straying people find their way back to the One who made them? “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6). These “lost sheep” are precious to the Lord.
“Last words”, the final utterances of people before their passing, fascinate us. Here are Jesus’ last words before ascending back into heaven: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved …” (Mark 16:15,16). Those who help restore lost souls to their Creator will surely be blessed.
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
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Copyright, 2019, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “[email protected]” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.
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