See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.
What do you think? 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 to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost. (Matthew 18:10-13)
My friend Dave called last week. We grew up together. I haven’t seen him in a few years… he’s West Coast, and I’m East. He had just returned from a writer’s conference in San Francisco, he was excited about it, and he wanted to share. It was a good conversation.
Originally Posted February 24, 2010
It wasn’t always good. Dave has had a bumpy ride. He’s made some bad decisions, had some bad luck, and has taken some casualties along the way. There were times when he disappeared from my life and, honestly, I didn’t know if he was alive or dead. Neither one of us is a spring chicken, and as the calendar worked its way toward the back page, I wondered if he’d ever get over his hurdles and find some peace and purpose in life.
I like to say, “God is faithful, and He never gives up on a person.” I like to believe it too. But, c’mon, there is a clock we are working with here; at some point, the game needs to wind down, and God’s patience has got to wear thin. Mine certainly does. But, thank God, His patience is longer than mine, His faithfulness is greater than mine, and He really doesn’t give up on those He considers His own.
God considers Dave one of His own.
It doesn’t matter how many days and years were lost. It doesn’t matter how far off the track one has wandered. It doesn’t matter how many bricks have been knocked down. Redemption is right there.
Jesus said that his Father in Heaven is happier about finding one sheep that has wandered off than about the ninety-nine who never strayed. That’s something. It’s really not about anything we do, is it? It’s about what He does. When we wander off, He finds us. And the angels rejoice.
I don’t know every wrinkle in Dave’s story, but I do know that if God refused to quit searching until He found Dave again, then I know He’s not going to give up on any other of his flock that may have wandered off. And that means that none of us who are “in the fold” should give up on the ones outside. It also means that we’d better hold the “lost sheep” in the same regard as our Father does. God didn’t choose us for how good we are. He chose us because He chose us. And if one of us gets lost, He’s brokenhearted. That means if one of us is lost, we’d better be brokenhearted too. And if a lost one ever gets found, we’d better be rejoicing right along with the angels.
My brother Dave called last week … it was a good conversation.
A Perfect Day
The Texas sun
Low and to our backs
Shining, through us
On the road ahead
Leading up to camp
The day’s work behind us
Walking side by side
No words between us
Brothers
A perfect moment
A perfect memory
It was a perfect day
*(editor’s note January 1, 2024: I received word today that Dave passed away in a car crash. You’re at peace now, brother. The Shepherd has found you, and the angels are rejoicing.)
Thank you for this post. I have tried to contact Dave a few times this past year. I got to know Dave through the SCP Journal. He took the time to answer my questions—and encouraged me in my writing. At one point we corresponded regularly. God bless you, Steve. And prayers for your family.
Hi Bobby,
I regret to inform you that Dave Spillman passed away on January 1, 2024.