The Presumptuous Pitbull

Every day as a missionary I have so many learning experiences.  I've noticed I can have learning experiences in the least expected places.  A few weeks ago as we were walking down a calm neighborhood we spotted a pitbull out in the distance.  As we came closer and closer to it we began to see how friendly it was.  It came to us looking for attention and affection.  As we began to walk away from its home, where it belonged, it started to follow.  Although the young pup knew that it belonged back home, as he wondered farther and farther away it became harder and harder to turn back.  Eventually we were miles away from his home that provided nourishment and shelter to him.   He eventually became weak and tired and did not want to move.   The young dog had no way to get back to his home without guidance from others. Eventually the dog did end up getting back home with of the help of some animal control staff.

I learned a far greater lesson that day than I thought I ever would.  I recognized that this same scenario happens on a daily basis.  Not that two young men in dress clothes lead dogs away from their home, but that people are being lead away from their spiritual home.
As we come to this earth we leave the loving presence of our Heavenly Father.  We know what love and acceptance feel like and want to feel that again.  Some people find acceptance from associating with people who seem to be living an exciting life.  They might seem like they are living an exciting life but in reality they are living contrary to God's commandments.  These people who find acceptance by this begin to lose sight of their Heavenly home.  They slowly forget that they are children of God.  They begin to forget what the commandments are that are here to help us.  Just like the young pup, they begin to wander farther and farther from home.  Eventually they lose complete sight of where they were before.  They begin to feel frightened; they begin to feel week; and they begin to feel spiritually exhausted.
Although many of God's children have wandered, they are not lost to Him.  He knows where they are and has placed people in their path to help them.  Just like the animal control staff that helped the dog, there are people out here to spiritually rescue us.  They can point these people in the right direction and can give them a map that shows them the way back.  They know for themselves that faith in Jesus Christ and repentance are the course that will bring them back home.
If you are someone who feels lost from home, seek out the rescuers.  They can help you.  The can come in the form of friends that care about you, family that loves you, people that work with you, or even someone on the street.  Tell them who you are and that you want to get back home.  If you are someone who is looking for acceptance, look to God.  Look to your true friends.  Don't start wandering with those who lead you astray.  If you are someone who knows where you are going and is on the right path, you are a rescuer.  Look for those who are lost and show them the way back.
I know that no one is too lost.  God does know where each of us is at.  For some the map back home might be more lengthy but it is worth it.  Home is where you want to be.  God loves each and every one of His children and wants us all back with Him.