Have you ever heard the expression M.I.A. (missing in action)? It's a military term. When someone is found to be "M.I.A.", the military will search high and low for their fellow soldier(s). No cost is too high, no mission is too dangerous. The goal is clear; find the one MIA and bring them back safely.
In Luke 15 Jesus taught a parable to those who were "questioning", the company he kept. The lesson was that He the Good Shepherd came to seek and save the lost. That He didn't come to save the "righteous" and was willing to do whatever it took to leave the 99 sheep to go looking for the one that was lost. Do you know someone who once walked with the Lord, was involved in their local church and at one time was serving God, but are now M.I.A. - missing in action? I know a few, it seems they have just walked away from their faith. They have no desire to hear about the things of God. They never darken the door of a church and certainly don't enjoy being around those who follow Christ. Do you know someone like that? I'm sure for most of us the answer is, yes. We don't know if they have "left" Jesus or just our churches but one thing we do know is they are M.I.A.
So, what are we to do about it? We need to start with prayer. Praying to the Good Shepherd, the all knowing God of the universe, who sees all mankind in one fail swoop! He knows the condition of each heart (a lost or just a wondering heart). He knows where that lost sheep is, I don't! He knows how to bind up the broken hearted and set the captives free! So we should start with passionate, powerful & purposeful prayer!
We don't stop there! If it is someone close to us, we should lovingly ask them what happened & then listen to their reasons with a non-judgemental, non-critical ear. We should seek them out, that's what Jesus does, He is the Seeker of lost & lonely hearts. Another thing we can do is just love them where they are at. God's word tells us in Galatians 6:1 - Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. So the key is a spirit of gentleness. We don't need to beat them over the head with the Bible or make them feel even more guilty. We are to be agents of restoration. To restore or katartizō: means to render (mend what has been rent) to repair, to complete, to strengthen, perfect, complete, make one what he ought to be.
Isn't that what Jesus the Shepherd of our souls does for us? He is the repairer of the breech, the One who completes us, He makes us perfect "in Him", He is our strength and He is the One who can make us what we ought to be. Don't give up on those who have gone astray. As followers of Jesus Christ we are to be engaged in active duty. We are in God's Army, no retreat! We are Ambassadors for Christ and part of our calling is to be ministers of reconciliation.
So, who has gone M.I.A. in your platoon will you follow in the footsteps of the Good Shepherd and leave the 99 and go after that one?
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