Where I Fit: A New Thought

This week we had stake conference--where 6 congregations meet together for a special worship service.  For us, that occurs about twice a year.  We get to see friends and neighbors we don't usually see at church each Sunday but who are part of our larger neighborhoods.

I was touched by a message given to us by one of our stake leaders.  He spoke on the parable of the Good Shepherd.

 In Luke 15:3-7, it reads:

3 ¶And he spake this parable unto them, saying,

4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

As I have read this many time before, I knew the emphasis was on the "lost" or the sheep that strayed from the Shepherd.  It was a reiteration of always following Him and obeying His commandments that we can return to be with Him again. 

I could relate to that, as I tend to wander off occasionally and, even when I know better, I have lapses of weakness and sin.  I know who the Good Shepherd is and yet sometimes I choose to disobey.  I have much to work with on this point, so the talk I heard this weekend prompted me to sit up and take notice.

This weekend's message was  more about the ninety and nine.  The Good shepherd had to leave them to search for the one lost sheep.  How did He know He could trust them when He had to leave them fro a bit?  What did they know about Him that they didn't feel abandoned and give in to the urge to follow Him to the traps and dangers and potentially become lost too?

President C taught us that we are the ninety and nine.  We had covenanted to take upon us the name of Christ and committed to follow Him when we were baptized.  We are His disciples who fulfill callings, serve our communities and families and struggle to bring others into the fold of God.

The Savior knows us; He knows our hearts and He can trust us to do what He has asked so that he can rescue one of our own that is lost.  Of course, in real life that recusing is done by us in part--as we follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit and reach out in love and compassion to others.  But we are lead by him to do that.  In the meantime, we are left to continue on the path, to remain in the fold, to stick together for safety until He comes again.

I had never thought of that before.  Why can't he trust me?  I make a conscience effort each day to obey His will and follow His commandments.  I'm not perfect at it, but I re-set me efforts each day.  I want Him to be able to trust me.  I would like to imagine that He knows the intents of my heart and that from those, He knows I want to be with Him in the next life.  I want o be considered part of His flock, and as such, I need to be where He left me, actively awaiting His return.