Being a lost sheep means at some point in time, something happened with your heart. You stop caring for and paying close attention to the desires and the direction of the shepherd and God.
Some of us who were once very close to the shepherd allowed offense to enter in and literally backslid from the entire congregation.
Some of us were the middle of the everything happening in our ministry so the enemy either distracted us by presenting other ungodly opportunities, made us burn out because it became all of about us and not real ministry unto the Lord or we became offended and lost our way.
Then the third scenario represents those who never came all the way in. You decided to "attend" service but you were not sincerely committing to the flock nor the shepherd thus not God. You did the rich young ruler- fake and shake. You came and "tried" God and once the expectations where spelled out, you lost your way.
Lastly there are those of us who come to church just to be fed, "God will fix it!" " God will turn it around!" You are consumed with getting your personal needs met. Therefore, when the shepherd and the other sheep began to move forward, you're caught up in your world. You've wandered off because your intentions where never to become a part of the social society and be led by a shepherd from God. You came into the presence of the "found" but that was never your desire.
Now, the GREAT News is God is looking for you. Those who were up close leaders! Those who were the heartbeat of the service! Those who poked your head in to see what was going on and those who came just to get YOUR life fixed!
The shepherd leaves those who are doing well in God just to find YOU! The shepherd looks and prays for your soul to be reconnected. The shepherd is calling for you and you still have EXCELLENT hearing. You just need to come out so you can be found. Today, if you are lost, consider me your sheep dog BARKING, so that a good shepherd can restore you BACK into the fold. Great efforts are made to find the lost sheep and if this is you then simply pray:
Dear God,
I thank You for finding me today! I am confessing that I was lost and disconnected from You but I am now inviting You back into my heart to be the Lord of my life and the Savior of my soul. Connect me to Your desired shepherd. Connect me to Your desired flock. Lead me where I need to be and beyond where I used to be. Restore and replenish all that I've lost and make me closer to You, Your shepherd and Your flock like never before. In Jesus' name I pray. AMEN!