Today, we will look into one of the most touching parables told by Jesus: The Parable of the Wandering Sheep. It’s more than just a story about a sheep that got lost and its shepherd; it’s a profound reflection on our relationship with God, our Savior.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus asks, “If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?”

It’s clear that Jesus, our Good Shepherd, doesn’t want to lose even one of us. But have we ever thought about the role of the lost sheep in its own salvation?

Imagine for a moment the despair and vulnerability of the lost sheep. Alone, far from the safety of the flock and the shepherd’s watchful gaze, it cries out. This cry, this desperate plea for help, doesn’t just reflect its hopelessness but its deep need to be found. The sheep’s cry might be what eventually guides the shepherd to its location, helping him rescue the vulnerable creature from potential harm.

Now, when we draw parallels to our own lives, especially in the modern age, a stark reality emerges. We, as a society, have become fiercely independent. Today, with our vast resources, tools, technology, and knowledge, many subconsciously feel and believe that we are our own saviors. The danger with such a belief is that when we face challenges, we might rely solely on our abilities to navigate out of the storm.

True independence and true strength are as much about recognizing and relying on our abilities as they are about being aware of our limits, shortcomings and not being afraid to be vulnerable and seek help.

Let’s be honest, in life, we face storms that are beyond our control and understanding. The weight of life’s challenges can make us feel isolated and lost. We find ourselves in dark valleys, looking around for a way out. But do we realize the importance of recognizing our need for salvation in those moments? Do we understand the true value of a savior?

God doesn’t desire for us to be lost. But when we are, He wants nothing more than to find and restore us. Just as the shepherd rejoices when he finds his lost sheep, so does our Heavenly Father rejoice when one of His children returns to Him.

Let us reject and repel every form of pride, thinking we can save ourselves in every situation or the misguided notion that we can only trust and rely on ourselves to navigate through the storms of life. Instead, through our prayers and reflections, we should nurture a spiritual mindset where we almost instinctively and instantly turn to our Savior and seek the comfort of His presence in our lives in times of turmoil and trouble.