Free Indeed: Finding the One Who’s Lost

I have to admit—when I was first asked to speak in this series on movies, I thought: Really? Movies? See, I’m way more passionate about sports and music than about movies. But you know what? Sometimes you just have to roll with what you’re given.

So I picked Taken—yes, the Liam Neeson thriller.

If you’ve seen it, you know the premise. His 17-year-old daughter is kidnapped in Europe. He doesn’t hesitate. He’ll go to any length, face any danger, burn the whole world down if that’s what it takes to get her back.

Watching it again last week hit me differently. My own daughter is 17. I felt that fear in my gut. That anxious, restless love. The kind that says, I will not give up on you. I will not stop until you’re safe.

And it got me thinking about something much bigger: the idea of being free indeed. Because freedom always comes with a price. In our faith, that price was paid by Jesus on the cross.

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The Lost Sheep

Jesus told a story about a shepherd with 100 sheep. When one wandered off, he left the 99 to go find it. He didn’t say, “Well, 99% is good enough.”

No. He pursued the one.

Here’s how it goes in Matthew 18:12–14:

“If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it… he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.”

And in Luke 15:3–7:

“He joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’”

I love that image. The shepherd doesn’t scold or punish. He lifts the sheep onto his shoulders. Carries it home.

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My Own Wandering

I can relate.

I felt called to ministry at 19. But then I wandered. Friends, relationships, distractions—I convinced myself I’d do my own thing.

But God never stopped pursuing me.

Just like Liam Neeson’s character chased down every clue, God chased me with love and patience. I imagine my great-grandmother praying for me every night I skipped church, wearing that disappointed look on her face, longing to see her grandson come home.

Now, looking back, I can see God’s hand guiding me, nudging me back into His arms.

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The Challenge for Us

You see, many of us are like the 99 sheep. Safe in the fold. Fed. Comfortable. I’ll be honest—I love comfort and stability.

But Jesus’ parable challenges me.

It says: Don’t just be satisfied with being part of the 99. Go find the one who’s lost.

It’s easy to say, “Well, most people are fine.” But God says no one should be lost. None. That’s His heart. And if we’re His hands and feet in the world, it’s our responsibility too.

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Who’s Your “One”?

I’m sure if I asked you right now to think of someone who’s wandering, someone spiritually lost—you could name them.

God doesn’t see people as statistics. He knows each one by name. He values every single life.

Our job? Seek. Find. Carry them home if we can.

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A Prayer for Boldness

I’ll be real with you—I was a timid kid. Even now, I need to ask God for boldness. To share His love.

Because it’s not enough to say, “Show me who needs You.” We have to say, “Give me the courage to go to them.”

We can’t do it on our own. But with God’s Spirit guiding us, all things are possible.

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My Prayer Today

If you’re reading this and feel safe in the fold, I’m asking you to pray with me:

God, show me who is lost.
Give me the courage to share Your love.
Help me not to settle for comfort when You’re calling me to go.

And if you’re the one who’s wandered off? There’s hope for you too. You can always come home.

Because our Shepherd is still searching. Still pursuing. Still ready to lift you onto His shoulders and rejoice that you’re found.

Thanks for reading. Let’s not leave anyone behind. Let’s help them be free indeed.

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