Lost

“We’re lost.” We received the news with a chilliness so cold that the words nearly turned into snowflakes before they hit our ears.

There were five of us that winter morning in a car big enough for four, on a journey back from Michigan to Tennessee, which should have taken about twelve hours. We had started our journey two hours before, already tired and weary of the long trip ahead.

It was after driving for a couple of hours that we noticed an abundance of horse-pulled carriages and simple, Mennonite homes that were not the typical site of Highway 31. We began to question the driver, who assured us he was on the right road, but the further we drove, the more uneasy we felt, so cell phones and maps were pulled out to confirm our location. It was then that the cold reality hit us; we were lost.

I remember this story not because we were in any particular danger but because of the great frustration of inconvenience we felt as we realized we had just added an additional four hours to the twelve hour trip! I remember being aggravated with the circumstances and wondering how we had gotten off track in the first place. Being lost is a frustrating experience that we all try to avoid but despite our best efforts we occasionally lose our way.

We pulled the car over to a gas station hoping to find some guidance on how to get back on track. The woman operating the register was very helpful and before long we were heading in the right direction and on our long trip home.

I share this story to make a simple point; being lost, even in a non-threatening way, is an annoying experience that tries our patience. There is a certain type of helplessness and humbleness that comes from being lost. You long for direction.

Have you ever been lost?

If you have, you can likely remember the appreciation you had to get back on track.

Just as we were grateful for the person who helped us find our way, we are called to do the same for those who are spiritually lost. In a world where many are wandering without direction—burdened by doubt, pain, or confusion—we have the privilege and responsibility to point them to Christ, the true path to life. When someone is lost, they may not even realize the depth of their need, much like our driver who was convinced we were on the right road. But through our words, our actions, and the love we show, we can gently help them see that Christ is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).

Jesus reminds us in Matthew 5:16, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Our lives should be a reflection of the hope and direction found in Him. Sometimes, helping others find their way isn’t about grand gestures—it’s about being present, listening, sharing a scripture, offering a prayer, or simply living in such a way that others are drawn to the light of Christ within us. When we take the time to walk alongside those who are searching, we become instruments of God’s grace, helping others find the peace and joy that come from knowing Him. In doing so, we not only help lead them home—we strengthen our own faith and grow deeper in our walk with God.