Parable of the 99 remaining sheep
The reflection for yesterday Sunday 03/23 and today Monday 03/24 are interconnected. It's the same story about a shepherd with 100 sheep 🐑 and who goes after the lost one. Nothing new in the parable and many if not all of us are familiar with it. But what caught my attention today while reading both reflections, is the perspective from the 99 ones left waiting.
In my opinion, while we may relate to being the lost sheep at certain point in our lives, most of us may identify ourselves as one of the 99. How many times I've seen miracles happening in other people's lives who were gone astray (just like that 1 sheep) and I wonder why The Lord is taking so long to come back and answer my prayers while I am still here. It is hard to patiently wait, to put ourselves on hold because Our Lord went out to look for the lost ones. As hard as it is, we must not lose hope. The Lord doesn't love or care for us less. He only asks us to wait for Him, for He knows the desires of our hearts and if they align with His plan, they will come to fulfilment in His timing.
As we patient remain among the 99, let us refer to these 2 followingverses to strengthen us:
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29, 11.
For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it. It will certainly come and will not delay. Habakkuk 2, 3.