More than a quarter century ago while traveling by train on a short business trip from Washington, DC to Baltimore, Maryland, I felt impressed to write the words that are reproduced below. Through subsequent years, I have shared this message with a number of people who have been searching for the Lord in their lives.
Now that Sister Lindsay and I have been assigned to work as full time senior missionaries in Baltimore, we have an opportunity each day to seek out those who have become lost along the way. Many of God's children are searching for truth but know not where to find it. Lest we forget, we ourselves have either been or yet may be that one sheep who has become separated from the flock and needs to be rescued.
T H E N I N E T Y A N D N I N E
The Shepherd having ninety-nine
Sheep safely in the fold
Will leave them and will seek the one
That’s lost out in the cold.
The Shepherd’s known by all His sheep.
They beckon to His call.
They know of His unending love,
Sufficient for them all.
The flock hath need of all the lambs,
Each and every one.
That’s why the Shepherd cares for them;
His task is never done.
But what the Scriptures do not say
About the ninety-nine
Is that the Shepherd found them all
Alone, one at a time.
For each of us has been alone
Confused or gone astray
Until we heard the Master’s voice
And saw Him point the way.
And which among the ninety-nine
Would not take comfort in
The knowledge that the Shepherd seeks
The one who’s lost in sin?
So what should we as Christians do
If we are of His flock
And find a weary kindred soul
Alone upon a rock?
Should we not share the light we have
And lead souls out of harm;
So they can hear the Shepherd’s voice
While leaning on our arm?
How great shall be your joy with them
With these sweet spirits choice
When all together we shall be
Beside the Master’s voice.
God grant that in humility,
I’ll like a shepherd, seek
The precious souls who search for truth
Who want to be Christ’s sheep.
A. Norman Lindsay
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