2,996

“What do you think? 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? ~ Matthew 18:12 NIV

Last night, Brad and I were talking about how Jesus was willing to leave the 99 to seek and save the 1. As we talked, the conversation shifted to personal reflection for Brad and how he never wanted to lose sight of the 99, or in his case, 2,996. If you haven’t heard the story, my husband was working across the street from where President Bush’s plane was in Sarasota, FL on 9/11/01. As 2,996 people were dying, the Lord was still knocking on the door to my husband’s heart. And on that day, scared and hiding in an office, my husband finally responded to the knocking and invited the Savior in, giving his life to Christ.

Even though it’s been 15 years, that story never gets old and always brings me tears of joy! As Brad and I continued to talk about it last night, his prayer and heart’s desire is that he would never lose sight of the 2,996 so that he’d always remember to give as much emphasis to the 1, as Jesus did for him.

How poetic, that we’d be having that conversation just a week before we celebrate the day that our Savior first came into this world and gave us the opportunity to invite Him into our hearts and lives. As we celebrate Christmas, let’s also not lose sight of the 1 who does not yet know Jesus. Let’s be in prayer that we’d continue to shine His light and love this Christmas season, so that those who’ve not yet opened the door will invite the Savior into their hearts and lives.

Father, my prayer this Christmas season is that those who’ve only ever celebrated the Season, will come to know, worship, and celebrate the Reason. Father, let me be a light for the 1. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

©Heather Potts 2016