Every year we hear the stories of hikers who get lost in the backcountry. Even though many of them are found, why does this happen? Instead of staying on the path, they choose to trust themselves and wander off into unknown territory, thinking it will be better. This sentiment is echoed in Jesus’ parable of The Lost Sheep. In a flock of one hundred sheep, one goes astray, and instead of leaving it to wander, the Shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to find the one. It seems foolish to leave in search of the one, but this is how Jesus sees and pursues us when we wander away. He longs for us to return to the flock, despite the cost and sacrifice. But we have to ask ourselves the question, what causes us to wander in the first place?
