VOICE OF TRUTH FOR TODAY
He Leaves the 99
In 2000, God clearly spoke to my heart and asked me to begin leading mission trips. My very first trip was to the Navajo Nation. I brought a team from our church—our youth group and a few brave adults (I say brave because it was my first time leading!).
That trip changed me in ways I still carry today.
While we were there, I met a beautiful Navajo woman named Margaret. She lived far out in the desert with no running water or electricity, hauling water from town about thirty miles away. Her husband of 54 years had passed away, but she continued caring for her sheep, just as her family had done for generations.
Margaret had become a Christian when she was young, even though following Jesus meant persecution among her own people. Yet her faith remained strong and unwavering.
One day we offered to help her move her sheep from one pen to another. It sounded simple—open the gates and guide them toward the food and water.
But the moment we opened the gate, chaos erupted. The sheep scattered across the desert and disappeared into the distance. Our youth ran after them, trying to fix the mess we had created, while Margaret calmly began walking into the desert after them.
Hours later we returned to her home—and to our amazement, Margaret and the sheep were already back.
How?
The sheep knew their shepherd’s voice.
Then Margaret told us something even more incredible. One sheep was still missing. Without hesitation, this elderly woman began searching the desert in the dark until she found that one lamb.
In that moment, I saw the words of Jesus come alive:
“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine… and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4-6, NIV)
Margaret’s love for her sheep reflected the heart of our Good Shepherd.
Jesus searches for us the same way—because every single one matters.
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Excerpt from Voice of Truth Magazine
“Coffee Chats” by Tina Marie Kadolph