The Joy of the Found: Seeing Ourselves Through the Lost Sheep's Eyes

Brothers and sisters, sometimes I find myself thinking about the sheer *joy* described in the Book of Luke. It’s not just a nice story to read on a Sunday; it’s the very heartbeat of the restored gospel. We talk so much about the covenants we’ve made, the commandments we strive to keep, and the glorious path back to the Father. But what is the central theme that ties the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son together? It’s the overwhelming, unconditional joy of the return.

When I was first out in the field, I remember feeling the weight of expectation—the need to *do* everything right to prove my worthiness. It felt like I had to be perfect, like I had to keep up the momentum of the mission. But these parables, these beautiful illustrations of grace, they gently peel back that layer of performance and point us toward the core truth: God’s joy isn't conditional on our perfection; it’s guaranteed by His love.

The Invitation to Be Found

Jesus told these stories specifically as a response to those who were grumbling about Him spending time with sinners. Think about that! The religious leaders were focused on the *rules* and the *appearance* of holiness, while Jesus’s focus was entirely on the *person*—the lost sheep, the lost coin, the son who wandered far afield.

It hits me, as a returned missionary now, how easily we can slip into the Pharisee mindset. We can become so adept at pointing out the straying sheep—the doctrinal error, the slip-up in temple attendance, the lapse in scripture study—that we forget to sweep the house and light the lamp ourselves. We become more concerned with the *finding* than with the *finding process* itself.

A Skill for the Internet Missionary: Seeing the Need

If you are feeling the weight of missionary preparation, or if you are already out in the field, I want to give you a little tool today. When you are having a missionary discussion, and the investigator brings up a difficult question—one that makes you pause—don't rush to the perfect doctrinal answer. Instead, pause, and ask yourself: "What is the *need* behind this question?"

The AI Investigator role, which Davee and I have been working on, really helps with this. It’s not about having the answer; it’s about understanding the *gap* in understanding. The gap between what they know and what they need to know to feel the Spirit. Remember, we are not there to critique; we are there to illuminate the path back to the fold. We are Christlike shepherds, not judgmental critics.

The Father’s heart, as shown in the prodigal son, was not waiting for him to earn his way back; it was already running out to meet him. That is the model we carry into every conversation, every digital outreach, and every time we share the gospel in our own homes.

Where Do We Go From Here?

This week, let’s focus on embodying that joy. Let’s look at the concept of *being found* not just as a destination, but as a daily state of grace. If you are feeling the pull back to the deep study of the scriptures, I highly recommend diving into the Book Club feature in HolyPlaces. It’s a wonderful way to engage in deep, shared scripture study without the pressure of a formal class setting.

And for those who want to deepen their knowledge of Christ’s example, check out the resources from 2BeLikeChrist. They offer quick, powerful dives into the text, which is perfect for fitting into a busy schedule. Don't forget to check out the Social Scripture Study layer in LivingBook—it’s a fantastic way to see how others are wrestling with the same verses!

Let’s keep inviting others to experience the joy of being found. Remember, every member can be an Internet missionary, every member can be a disciple anywhere, all the time.

If you’d like to practice walking through tough questions before your next missionary discussion, let's connect with Davee. He’s ready to role-play with you!