7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
God has more concern for those who are wondering away than those who are steadfast in the faith. This story told to illustrate a spiritual point tells of the one sheep that has wondered away. The shepherd leaves the rest of the herd to find the one wonderer. When that one is found rejoicing results. We do the same thing. When we see a child wobbling as they try to take their first steps we reach out our hands and our hearts in an attempt to keep them from falling. Our hearts skip a beat when they fall, almost hitting their head. The same is supposed to be true for us as believers. When we see someone stumbling in life, we are to reach out and help them get on their feet. We don’t spend much time on those who are walking on their own. We know they are going to make it. Once we are stable spiritually, our mission shifts. We begin to focus on the spiritual care of others. We continue to walk ourselves, but we also reach out to those who are stumbling. God’s focus in this parable is on those at the edges, those that are easily forgotten or left out. There are those in our society who are easily sidelined and silenced. When one of those people is reached, rejoicing is the result. Often one member of a family gets silenced and forgotten, losing their voice in the process. God reaches out to those who are still on the edges, who have not begun a full relationship with Him. He invites them and then rejoices when they respond. In fact, all of heaven responds with rejoicing. Reach out to someone who is drifting off the edge today. Offer them a relationship with the Living God. Offer them a relationship with you. Carry them, if need be, to the Lord on your own shoulders, just as Jesus carried the Cross on His.
The Arnold Journey 