Lost!

This past Sunday our Gospel reading came from Luke 15. We looked at two of the three parables of the “lost” that Jesus told in that chapter. This morning I’ve also read an interview with Hemant Mehta in “Outreach” magazine.

Hemant Mehta is the atheist that offered his soul for sale on eBay. He is, at age 22, somewhat of a celebrity and the author of a new book, “I Sold My Soul on eBay.” Hemant has visited over 30 Christian churches and, though he remains a staunch atheist, he has engaged Christians in thoughtful and provocative conversations.

Hemant is, in the jargon of the Christian church, lost. He doesn’t feel particularly lost, however, and I suspect he may resent the term. Actually, some of the research that I’ve seen from George Barna and others shows that “lost” is about the worst thing you can call a “pre-Christian” or “de-churched” person. It seems to me that it is a short distance between being “lost” and being a “loser.” Calling someone a loser isn’t a very persuasive evangelism approach.

I think that Hemant Mehta has performed a valuable service for Christians in that he may have helped us see our faith more as a journey than a destination. There are days that I feel a bit empty and overwhelmed and well, lost. I don’t think that my faith is in danger, but life has gotten in the way of living the “ideal” Christian life. Maybe remembering those moments in my own life will give me a little humility to approach those who don’t see things the way I do.

There’s one other lesson that we might learn from Hemant Mehta. I need to be constantly reminded that the “results” are up to God. He calls me to be faithful in my journey and confident that he takes care of the rest. In good days and in bad days, He walks beside me.

Have a great week, whether or not it is a good week or a bad week!