The Lost One

Wright College had a football team of 100 players. Every player knew the system, except for one. He was lost. A freshman who had never played football before, and had walked on to the team. He thought it would be fun, but he was lost. Everything seemed foreign to him. On plays, he would go one way, and everyone else another. He was always last in drills and always making his unit run for his struggles. Many players did not like this freshman, but he was still part of the team — the body. Ninety-nine players and one who was lost.

One day the coach seemed to be distracted. He was looking for something, or maybe someone. He was looking for his lost player — the freshman. He had no clue what he was doing, but the coach found him, put his arm around his shoulders and whispered in his ear. Then the coach walked away. The freshman smiled and continued his efforts.

Jesus tells us a parable about the shepherd who had 100 sheep. One day, one of the sheep went astray. Did the shepherd let the sheep go? No, he went after him and joyfully brought him back into the flock. The shepherd even told all his friends the sheep was found. God always rejoices when someone who is lost comes home.

Three years later, Wright College had 100 football players. As always, there was always one player who was lost. This year though, instead of the coach going over to talk to this lost soul, a senior stepped up. During a water break he pulled the freshman aside, and encouraged and talked to him before returning to his drill. After seeing the encounter, the coach turned to his staff and smiled. Three years earlier he had a similar conversation with that very senior who once had been lost.