LOST AND FOUND 

Jesus told many parables about things being lost – sheep, coin, son (Luke 15).

So here is my own modern version, the parable of the lost keys!

There was a man who was going on a journey. He had booked his car in for a simple service of filter and fluid changes and was assured that it would be ready for his journey. During the day the garage called to say that once on the ramp it was found that the brakes were no longer legal and would need to be replaced. The garage assured that it would be ready in time. He authorised the work.

The man walked home. Later his daughter offered a lift to the garage. They were running late.

The man waited for the car to be ready. The parts hadn’t yet arrived and so it looked like it was going to delay his journey. He raised his concern with the garage. The garage raised their concerns with the parts delivery firm. It was getting more fraught until the parts arrived after about 40 minutes. They were fitted swiftly, the man paid, and expressed thanks that the garage had done what they could (including offering a discount for the inconvenience).

The man set off to his destination, concentrating on getting there as soon as possible.

On his return the man found that he could not feel his bunch of keys – work and home- in his pocket. He would normally check, it was a big bunch of keys, but he had only just discovered that they were missing. A lot had been going on.

The man could not get hold of any of the people who held spare keys to his house. When he returned home, the pets inside the house were quite distressed. He phoned an emergency locksmith to help him get into the house. When the locksmith arrived he wanted 6 times the amount quoted when the man had asked him to come.

Fortunately one of the key holders was able to come with a spare key and the man got in to his house, calmed the pets and went to bed confused as to where his keys were.

He felt really disturbed not having the keys that he carried with him everywhere, everyday. He himself felt lost without them. He felt disturbed by being taken advantage of in his desperation. He felt disturbed that he had disturbed others  late at night.

He wondered “why has this happened to me, today?”

He slept fitfully, with this sense of disturbance.

Waking the next morning he set about trying to find the keys. He tried all the places he had visited – the garage and where he had journeyed. None had the keys.

He still felt lost.

Until his daughter rang saying “Dad , I’ve got your keys in my car!”

He was so relieved. A sense of peace and a lightness of spirit took over the heavy burden, disturbance and darkness that he had felt the night before.

The keys that were lost were found!

What might this parable tell us about the life of faith?

Firstly, daily diligence. Each day is an opportunity to give due attention to the gracious gift of faith we have. Check out our pockets full of faith, so to speak. Be aware of their existence and that they are safely carried with us.

Secondly, be wary of distraction. Jesus’ parable of the weeds mentions thorns of life that choke. The man was distracted by his delayed journey, by being let down by the delivery firm, by his deadline. He had already lost the keys and did not notice. That meant that by the time he had discovered their loss he could not specify where they had been lost.

Thirdly, be wary of alternatives to faith that offer to solve our problems. They come at a hidden cost. They don’t tell you the cost before enticing you in then you are faced with an unacceptable cost. Things of the world are short term solutions to an eternal problem and will cost the earth!

Fourthly, sometimes we are called to come alongside those who have lost the key or never had it, and guide them to it (ie to come alongside those of faltering faith or those who do not yet know Jesus as Lord).

Finally, be aware of the sense of loss of that which is meant to be with you and part of you. Being in his presence, guided by his word, knowing his Spirit and eyes on Jesus opens doors, keep you safe and secure and is a comforting presence – just like that bunch of keys.

Oh, and the man prayed – “Lord show me my keys” – and they did turn up, eventually.

Stay in touch with Jesus. Avoid loss of faith. Be diligent. Don’t trust the worldly solutions.

May the keys be with you.

And also with you.

Doug
vicar@christchurchpurley.org.uk

TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING?