Recently I lost something. I say lost because I’m not sure where it is. I’ve looked and retraced my steps several times and just cannot find it. It’s both valuable and sentimental. It’s distressing that I can’t find it. Yet I’m finding this loss is somewhat instructive as I occasionally disengage from a busy workday to search for it in places it might be. Nothing. Then back to work where my mind returns to things I can affect, the things that aren’t lost. Indeed, things that matter far more than the value of the thing I can’t find.
This entire experience—one that is ongoing—has made me think about the things in life that are far more precious than a misplaced object, even one that has much meaning and memories attached. Among the valuable things in my life is a wife who loves me—despite my rough edges—and our children who have grown up and are very good and productive adults. And of course, our five grandchildren are a blessing beyond imagination. They tumble and brachiate from one fun thing to another, never disappointing us with the joy they exude.
And I love to write too. That is very much a thing of value and gives me an opportunity to share many things with readers. Here’s one.
There’s a thing of value that is found in a young teenager and her patient and loving husband. They will travel about 70 miles over rough and winding roads; she will ride on a donkey and he will travel on foot. Altogether, it may take five to seven days. It is a long trip nonetheless; one the government is compelling them to make in order to comply with an imperial census. When they arrive in Bethlehem, there will be no rooms for the pregnant Mary. Joseph will search diligently for a place where she will give birth to a son they were told to name Jesus.
When Mary and Joseph arrived in his hometown, they had nothing, but they also had everything. They could not find a room. So, they settled for a stable instead to bring into the world something of very great value. The ultimate value. Jesus, Messiah, King of Kings, and baby this season, man and Savior in the next. He was born to die, for us, and that is the value of all time.
I have much to value in my life, but above all, the fact that someone loved me so much that He was willing to die in my place for the sin I have committed. I was lost and He found me.
And the thing I have lost? Well, it’s incomparable to the value of the innocent baby we all find in a manger who would live and die so we can live and never die.
Merry Christmas!
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