There will be joy in heaven

Wed, Feb 10th 2016, 10:42 PM

"Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep that was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance." - Luke 15:7-7

I believe it is Christian Massive (Kent Johnson) and a group of young people who produced a song "The Power of One." I only heard a small portion of it and got the message of the importance of one person, even though that person may be as insignificant as a grain of sand on the ocean floor. Kent is a part of the Urban Renewal Peace Ambassadors and is a talented musician, and on mentioning it to him, he promised to get me a copy so that I can hear it in its entirety.
When I first was inspired to begin to write "Along Life's Road" back in 1997, it came about as a result of a dog who jumped the wall into my yard and could not figure how he got in and became frustrated in finding his way out. His barking awoke me out of sleep and I looked through the window to see what it was all about. In exhaustion, he stretched himself completely out for a few seconds and in so doing was able to "catch himself." The scripture, "Come ye yourselves apart and rest awhile," rang in my ears. This was after three in the morning.
Some years ago when I taught at Charles W. Saunders High School, I spoke to a lunch vendor and told him to save every American dollar. A year ago I saw him and he told me many thanks for the advice. Likewise I gave this same message also to a young man selling peanuts. Weeks ago he gave me a pack of peanuts and said, "There's power in a dollar!" As a matter of fact whenever he sees me I am given a pack.
The recent Iowa Caucus with the Democrat candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders painted a true story of how every person, no matter their station in life, is important. What a teachable lesson for those in leadership positions. No longer can you take people for granted or despise those who, in your poor estimation, are write offs and nobodies. Just last week in Washington at the Congressional Wives Tea held in The Library of Congress, I spoke with Barbara Grassley, whose husband is the senator for Iowa, and told her that Iowa had me up all night as they counted votes that clearly told the story of the power of one.
For every situation in our life as we travel along life's road, there is a scripture text if accepted brings clarity to the event. But most leaders look in the wrong book for answers to perplexing and nagging national and global problems. At prayer meeting on Monday night past, there were 10 of us and we prayed to God in earnest that he save our land from looming gloom. Those who scorn the power of prayer are in for a big surprise.
The 15th chapter of the Gospel according to Luke is among the most famous chapters in the Bible, with the story of the prodigal son being the most familiar. The scribes and Pharisees criticized Jesus for receiving sinners and eating with them, and in so doing Jesus told three parables -- The Good Shepherd and the lost sheep; the diligent woman and the lost coin; and the loving father who rejoiced because his lost son returned home. The theme of the parables is God's joy over the repentance of one sinner.
In my personal life, as I go from day to day and place to place, I am always reminded of mankind being made in the very image and likeness of God, and so no matter how low they may fall in life, they are special. Special, even though unkempt, poor, marginalized, broke, busted and disgusted. We must never underestimate the power of one person. In the world of sports, one point can make the difference between winning big or losing big. There are many in the grave today that are there because of the difference of a day, hour or minute. The late Dr. Benjamin E. Mays of Morehouse College said that it may be only a minute, but eternity is in it.
This is no time to trifle with what has been loaned to us -- and that is life. This is no time for favorites while despising and rejecting others. Like the Luke shepherd who was not satisfied with the 90 and nine being safely in the fold, his spirit, his very being became restless because one sheep was not in the pen. Leaving those 99 he went over hill, dale, torrent and vale to find that one lost sheep. How is it that we are so carefree and careless with the sheep that God has placed in our care? Parents, are you concerned about your lost sheep? Leaders are you aware of your sheep inventory and so altering your agenda to go and find your lost sheep?
I pray today that God would awaken those of us who are asleep and in deep slumber when it comes to our responsibility of finding those who are and have been declared lost in whatever station of life. We have an awesome task ahead. Let us begin our search. And if we do we will find and redeem those who are lost and indeed there will be joy in heaven.

o E-mail rubyanndarling@yahoo.com, Facebook Ruby Ann Darling or write to P.O. Box SS 19725 Nassau, Bahamas with your prayer requests, concerns and comments. God's blessings!

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