About twenty years ago when my kids were small, I would take them on various adventures to get them out of the house while my wife was working from home. One of those adventures was a state park with a lake and a beach, so I got the kids in their swimsuits, packed some big towels and some food and off we went. I remember it being towards the end of summer, and the water was a bit cold until you got used to it. I had also recently lost a ton of weight. This goes to explain what happened next.

We were hip deep (shoulder deep for them) and I was throwing them up into the air and catching them amidst their giggles and cries of “Me next!” As I tossed one of them into the air, my wedding ring flew off my finger and plunked down into the water. This was not tropical blue water that you could see all the way to the bottom. This was Ohio lake water, meaning murky brown and a little slimy on the soles of the feet. I told the kids, “Don’t move,” and then proceeded to dive under the water frantically to find my ring. I was panicked because I couldn’t find it after numerous attempts, but I was also worried about losing track of the kids who were very small and in the water with me.

Think back for a second to a time when you lost something important or valuable. What was it? Did you misplace your keys so you couldn’t start your car or get into your house? Were you on a trip when your wallet or passport was stolen? Did your dog run off and not come back? Or if you are like me, how many times a week do you lose your phone and have to have someone call you, hoping your phone is not on silent mode?

I’ve seen local stories about kids who came up missing, either because they ran away, or they were taken by someone. Any parent can imagine the horror and anguish of not knowing where their child is and not knowing how to find them.

In Luke Chapter 15, Jesus tells three stories in a row about lost things or people. The first story is about a shepherd with 100 sheep, who counts them and comes up with 99. The middle story is about a woman with 10 coins who loses one of them in the dark interior of her home. The third story is about a father of two sons, one of whom decides to ask for his inheritance prematurely (meaning before his dad is dead) and who goes on a wild spending spree far away from home until he runs out. Jesus tells the stories back-to-back-to-back, and they belong together. There are several things that are true about each of the stories. In all the stories, something or someone of great value is lost: a sheep, a coin or a son. In all the stories, someone makes a search. The shepherd leaves the 99 sheep (probably in the care of other shepherds). The woman searches frantically for the lost coin, not an easy search in a first-century hovel with no windows and a dirt floor. The father looks day after day for the return of his son, scanning the horizon for the form of his not-so-proud son walking home. And catch this: each story ends with a gathering of people for a celebration once the thing or person is found. Friends and neighbors are invited in to celebrate the rescued sheep, the discovered coin, and the homecoming of the long-lost son.

So, what is the main point of these stories in Luke? When we are separated from God, our Father, he anguishes over our absence like a shepherd who has lost a sheep, or a poor woman who has lost a valuable coin, or a dad who never stops loving a son or daughter who has run far away. You can live your whole life in a way that is far from God, doing things you know are harmful and not God’s will for you, or never seeking God or talking to him or prioritizing him in your life in any way. Even after a lifetime of running away from God, God never stops loving you, searching for you, and wishing you would come home. If ever you do, you don’t come back to a frowning angry God who wonders out loud why it took you so long. You come back to your dad who has been looking for you every day of your life, who throws a party in your honor sharing with all of the friends and neighbors of heaven the unmitigated joy that you have come home.

After a long period of time, I gave up the search for my ring, packed the kids up and went home to my wife. She was not pleased with me, even though I helpfully pointed out that at least the kids hadn’t drowned while I was diving to the bottom of the murky lake! We went off to a jewelry store, and in hangdog fashion, I shelled out the money for another wedding band. I’m glad to report to you I’ve managed to hold onto this current one. But here is where my analogy breaks down: I stopped looking for what was lost; God never stops. He wants you to come home, and he can’t wait until you do.

Derek Russell is pastor of the Hillsboro Global Methodist Church. He loves Jesus, family, dogs and football.