March 15

We Labor for the Joy of Finding the Lost

“Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home” (Luke 15:4-6).

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10

Song: “Came to My Rescue”

Sensing the close of the meeting and fearing the topic of mission would be skipped, William Carey grabbed Andrew Fuller’s arm and said, “Is nothing again going to be done?”

Carey knew the only way the gospel of Jesus would be received by those who have never heard it is through the labor of those who already have it.

This was not evident to everyone in Carey’s day. So, he argued with and petitioned the bodies in power until they complied to take up the labor of mission. And it is labor.

Mission is difficult. Sometimes it seems unrewarding and requires thankless effort. But like a new mother joyfully caring for her baby, mission is our joyful labor.

Just as Jesus left His heavenly realm for the joy set before Him and just as He carried out His work on earth with enduring joy, so too we can embrace the labor of mission for the joy of finding the lost. It is precisely this joy that allows us to embrace and endure the labor of mission before we enter the bliss set before us.

Father, thank You for giving me Your unmovable joy to strengthen me as I embrace Your mission and seek the lost. Knowing this mission is Yours, I ask that You give me wisdom to know how I may better participate toward Your goal. In Jesus’ name, amen.