DEVOTION BY Anita van der Elst POSTED 5/2/2025 6:00:01 AM
In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!
Luke 15:7 NLT
Repeatedly, I see the posts with photos on my social media community pages. Typically, they say, “Have you seen my cat?” or “Our dog escaped. Please let us know if you find him.” The individuals and families associated with these lost pets take great measures to locate and bring their much-loved animals home. The community does what it can to help. It’s heart-warming to see the reunions.
Three of my four children live at a distance, so we rarely assemble in one place. When my family gets together for holiday celebrations, and any one of those four can’t join us, I feel the empty spot. It becomes even more joyous when visiting one-on-one with the loved one who couldn’t make it earlier. I rejoice that my kids want to spend time with me.
Jesus described the heavenly party that results when even one person who has wandered away changes direction and returns to Him. If my heart fills with delight over reunions of families with their four-legged fur children, and my cup overflows with gladness to connect with my two-legged human ones, how much more fabulous must it be for Jesus to have the children He created be reconciled to Him?
When I spend time with the Lord—as an individual lamb He has rescued—all of heaven celebrates. To be viewed by Jesus in that personally valued way makes me want to stay as close as possible to the Good Shepherd.
There’s plenty of room at the party. Come join in.
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Anita van der Elst finds joy in creating with words, believing God gifted her with the desire to do so. Married to her best friend, Edward, since 1976, she is a proud mom of four adult children and Oma to two of the most delightful grandchildren ever. Other joys in her life include bringing beauty to Facebook through photos she takes on her iPhone, facilitating a small women’s group at church, and mentoring a few friends who also desire to write.