We often say we want to bring joy to God in the way we live. Jesus tells us in Luke 15:7 that “there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!” Why, then, do we spend 99 percent of our time ministering to the 99 who need no repentance rather than seeking and searching for the one lost sheep?

Jesus gave us His mission statement in Luke 19:10 – “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save those who are lost.” Is that our mission statement today, too?

As we consider our need and desire for God’s favor, these are some tough questions for personal spiritual evaluation:

Do you hold the Word of God in a place of honor in your life? Do you respond obediently to its words? Do you have order in your life? Are your conversations holy? Do your words and actions draw people to Christ? . . .

If any of these questions prompt reflection and bring conviction into our lives, let us respond with humility and brokenness of heart. God never despises and broken and contrite heart. On the contrary, it is the key that opens the door to the increase of His presence and favor in our lives.

Many times in this journey my feet hurt. My knees were bruised and bleeding. I was parched, exhausted and weary at the thought of one more tomorrow. I could not quit, because God had called me to climb this mountain. It was His mandate. Somehow I knew that if I ceased to climb this mountain, I would miss the glimpse of His glory that I have been striving so long for.