Wandering Off 寻回迷羊
Dexu Xia
Wandering Off
Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep. Luke 15:6
Living near cattle ranches as he did, humorist Michael Yaconelli noticed how cows were prone to wander while grazing. A cow would keep moving, always looking for the fabled “greener pastures.” Near the edge of the property, the cow might discover some cool fresh grass under a shade tree. Just beyond a broken-down part of the fence was a tasty clump of foliage. Then the cow might push far beyond the fence and out to the road. It slowly “nibbled” its way into being lost.
Cows aren’t alone in their roaming problem. Sheep also wander, and it’s likely that people have the biggest tendency of all to stray.
Perhaps that’s one of the reasons God compares us to sheep in the Bible. It can be easy to meander and “nibble our way” through reckless compromises and foolish decisions, never noticing how far away from the truth we’ve strayed.
Jesus told the Pharisees the story of a lost sheep. The sheep was of such value to the shepherd that he left his other sheep behind while he searched for the wandering one. And when he found the one that had strayed, He celebrated! (Luke 15:1–7).
Such is the happiness of God over those who turn back to Him. Jesus said, “Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep” (v. 6). God has sent us a Savior to rescue us and bring us home.
In what way might you be wandering in the wrong direction? What’s the first step you need to take to get back where you belong?
Father in heaven, I feel lost. Have I wandered too far? Redirect my heart and show me the way home.
寻回迷羊
我失去的羊已经找着了，你们和我一同欢喜吧！—路加福音15章6节
美国幽默作家亚麦可（Michael Yaconelli）住在牧场附近，他观察到乳牛在放牧时很容易迷失走丢。因为它们在吃草时会不断地走动，找寻更青绿的牧草。在牧场边界的树荫下，乳牛可能会发现鲜嫩的牧草。当它看见损坏的篱笆后面不远之处，有一丛看似可口的青草，可能就会冲出篱笆而越走越远，甚至走到大马路上。就这样，乳牛嚼着牧草，渐行渐远，最后就走丢了。
其实不是只有乳牛会迷失走丢，羊也是一样，而世上最容易迷失的恐怕就是人类。或许正因如此，在圣经中上帝经常将我们比作羊。我们很容易迷失走丢，会因轻率的妥协和愚蠢的决定而渐行渐远，甚至根本没有意识到自己早已远离了真理。耶稣对法利赛人说了寻回迷羊的比喻。这位牧羊人极珍视一只走失的羊，以至暂时放下其他的羊去寻回这只迷羊。当牧羊人找到迷羊后，还大肆庆祝一番！（路加福音15章1-7节）当一个人回转归向上帝时，上帝也会像这个牧羊人一样欢喜快乐。正如耶稣说：“我失去的羊已经找着了，你们和我一同欢喜吧！”（6节）上帝已差派救主耶稣来拯救我们，并且将我们带回家。
你正因什么事物而朝向错误的方向？
若要回归正途，你首先需要采取什么行动？
天父，我感到好迷惘，我是否早已远离了祢？求祢重新引导我的心，指引我回家的路。