Jesus told a parable about a shepherd who had 100 sheep and one of them got away. Will Jesus not leave the nighty-nine on the hills and go in search of the one who wandered off? And if he finds it, believe me when I say he is happier about that one sheep than the ninety-nine that did not wander away. Similarly, your heavenly Father does not want any of these people to perish. God is a Father. He counts his children. He is glad that some are safe in Christ, prepared for eternity, and nestled close to his heart. But some are missing, and others have gone missing. God sent Jesus on a mission to "seek and save the lost." Luke (19:10). God does not forsake the 99! But his heart aches for those who have yet to enter the field.

Photo by Hiu Yan Chelsia Choi on Unsplash