What do the following have in common?
Danny DeVito Christmas ornament. Fog machine. A pin with Jesus holding a slice of pizza. Ankle monitor. Horns and a viking helmet. A friend’s fake tooth. 16 oz of fake blood.
All of these items have been lost by Uber riders and reported to drivers, hoping to be found. They’re from the seventh annual edition of the Uber Lost & Found Index, published last month.
The most commonly forgotten items are clothing, phones, backpacks and purses, wallets, headphones, jewelry and keys. Not blue caps that say “I love the smell of jet fuel in the morning,” thought that was one item reported.
What have you lost in your life? Or maybe you’re responding to a loss right now. I’m talking about things more important than a light saber or hamsters, though those items were also reported. How about self-respect. Um, that was one item reported as well!
Now we’re getting somewhere. Maybe you lost your job, your friend, your health, the church family that was such a big part of your life, or a loved one who died. Maybe you lost your focus, your will power, your virginity, your positivity, your drive, the spark in your marriage, your desire to eat well or exercise more, or even your purpose for living.
People lose all kinds of things that really matter. Here’s the good news: Jesus knows exactly where they are. All of them! Yes, the slab of bluefin tuna for sushi, the 2 fingernails and the 6 cheesecakes.
More importantly, Jesus knows the exact coordinates of your loved one in heaven right now. Jesus knows there is a new church that can fulfill you in new ways you haven’t even considered. Jesus knows exactly where you will regain your focus, your spark in marriage, your purpose for living.
Where? Where? Where?!
In him. He holds all things, knows all things, and can give you all things. Get to know him better, and you will truly lose fewer things that are important to you. And besides, if Jesus knows where they are, then are they really lost?
“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
All who rage against you
will surely be ashamed and disgraced;
those who oppose you
will be as nothing and perish.
Though you search for your enemies,
you will not find them.
Those who wage war against you
will be as nothing at all.
For I am the Lord your God
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you” (Isaiah 41:11-13).
PRAYER: God, how can I lose anything when you know where to find it, how to replace it, or why I don’t need it? You hold all things, even as you hold my life perfectly in your grace. Guide my searching to find what I need in you. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY: Look again at God’s words in Isaiah 41:11-13. Which line is going to help you most this week? Pray about it.
