Elder’s Corner: In Search of the Ring

“Last Saturday started like any other Saturday except I had a lot on my plate to get done as our church was having a community picnic outside. I emptied trailers to carry the picnic tables, got the canopy to set up in case of rain, went to the store and got food to grill, and got the bounce house ready to unload. It started to rain just as I was setting up the canopy. Matt came by the park and said they had decided to set everything up indoors. So I went home and got the other trailer with the bounce house on it. We had a great time of fellowship, good food, and a good turnout. When I got everything put away that night, I came home and looked down at my hand only to discover that my wedding ring was gone. It was dark and rainy so I decided to wait until the next day to look for it. I took my metal detector to the place where I had set up the canopy. I also checked pockets, gloves, truck, coat, and everywhere else I had been as I retraced my steps. No luck finding the ring. It's been a week since I lost it. I went out again today with metal locator and searched again. No luck, again.  Even though the ring was worth a few hundred bucks, to me it was priceless because of what it signified. My wife had placed it on my finger to symbolize our trust and love for each other.

I now have a greater appreciation than I've ever had for the parable Jesus told in Luke 15:3-10.

In verse 4, He starts “What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?” In verse 8, He repeats the lesson “Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost!' In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Now I hope I find my ring, but this story Jesus told reminds me there are people who are lost which are much more important than earthly, material things (things which won't make it into eternity—but lives we can influence while we are here, that is what is important.)

—Alan