We’ve Got Your Number

While my son was in high school, he participated in an indoor drumline by the name of Kenosha Beats. There were no competitions for drumlines in our area, so we frequently traveled 6 - 10 hours to competitions in Minnesota. These weekend trips would frequently contain more than one competition in different cities that we're not too far from each other. Along with the members of the drumline, teachers and parents all boarded the bus for this busy weekend trek.

Because there were generally 40 + people on the bus, the custom was to count off the first day before we ever left the parking lot in Kenosha. The number that you counted off that day became your number for the entire weekend. From that point on, every time the bus was ready to depart one location for another we counted off again using our designated numbers. This made it possible for our large group of people and percussion instruments to make it from one location to another without anyone or anything being left behind. During all of our trips, nothing more than a hat or other article of clothing was left behind.

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is always keeping track of our lives. It is possible to sometimes feel like we are merely a number in the body of Christ. This should never be, but if it occurs we can always remember that, like the director, our Good Shepherd knows us each individually. “I am the Good Shepherd; and I know and recognize My own, and My own know and recognize Me.” (John 10:14 AMP) The Lord knows each of our names. “But now [in spite of past judgments for Israel's sins], thus says the Lord, He Who created you, O Jacob, and He Who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you [ransomed you by paying a price instead of leaving you captives]; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.” (Isaiah 43:1 AMP) Our past sin, distant or recent, is irrelevant to the love of God.

We are extremely valuable to Him. Jesus told the crowds, “Are not two little sparrows sold for a penny? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father's leave (consent) and notice. But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, then; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:29-31 AMP) King David well realized this. “Your eyes saw my unformed substance, and in Your book all the days [of my life] were written before ever they took shape, when as yet there was none of them.” (Psalm 139:16 AMP) Even before our birth, God Knew us and had a plan. Jesus will search for and woo us back to Himself. “What man of you, if he has a hundred sheep and should lose one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness (desert) and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4 AMP)

On one occasion, the count was interrupted by silence. One of the band members was still in the gas station when we were ready to pull out of the parking lot. Immediately the students before and after that number knew exactly who was missing. We were all accountable for the person whose number lie on either side of our number. That way no one was ever left alone. So not only did the director have a complete accounting of the entire crew, each of us took responsibility for those nearest us.

We must also be willing to be accountable for our brothers and sisters in Christ. Scripture tells us that we are to help them when they have fallen. “Two are better than one, because they have a good [more satisfying] reward for their labor; For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!”  (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 AMP) We are never told to judge others, but merely restore them being careful that we do not fall away in the same manner. “Brethren, if any person is overtaken in misconduct or sin of any sort, you who are spiritual [who are responsive to and controlled by the Spirit] should set him right and restore and reinstate him, without any sense of superiority and with all gentleness, keeping an attentive eye on yourself, lest you should be tempted also.” (Galatians 6:1 AMP)

 As we encourage each other we should be attentive to all around us. If someone is suddenly missing, it is imperative that we seek to find a reason for their absence. We may be the ones who have the privilege of quick and easy restoration that saves a brother or sister from greater, prolonged danger. “Therefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify (strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing. Now also we beseech you, brethren, get to know those who labor among you [recognize them for what they are, acknowledge and appreciate and respect them all]—your leaders who are over you in the Lord and those who warn and kindly reprove and exhort you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11-12 AMP) When we look out for those around us, our brothers and sisters will not have the opportunity to be pulled away by the enemy. We will walk together on the path that God has planned for us.

If you have strayed, remember that the Lord has not lost sight of you. He strongly desires to see you restored. Let’s all look out for those around us and keep one another on the path God has set for us.