I see some people and can tell right away that they are lost. It’s in their eyes and their posture. My heart goes out to them, for they don’t know where they are or where they’re going. In Christian circles, we talk of the lost meaning those who have no spiritual relationship with Jesus. But what I’m talking about is an orientation to living each day. I can imagine even Christians–those who have “accepted Christ into their hearts” as the saying goes–still not sure about where they are going or what they should be doing next.
There was a man I saw yesterday when I took a break from my writing to take a short walk. He was lost. Obviously. He had an address, but it was evidently wrong. He couldn’t find it. He stopped his van, rolled down the window and asked me where a certain street was in the neighborhood. I told him. He said, “I’ve been there, but the house number I have is not there.” So, he was just driving around at random. After we talked for a minute or so, he said, “Maybe I’ll just call them and ask for directions.” Hmm. Awareness is the beginning of finding direction.
It works in life more generally, too. Perhaps we say that we’re with Jesus. Maybe we’re in a church. But we are still drifting. We don’t know what to do next. It’s Advent right now. There are signs of Christmas all around, but they just blur into the background–sort of like music they play in stores.
The first step in getting out of this lostness is to become aware of who we are and what we need. We become aware that preparations are being made to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Then we need directions to get to the source. Well, we’ve been given those directions. If we first become aware–that is, we wake up–then we can pick up a Bible and begin to read. We can devote a few minutes each morning to meditation and prayer. As we begin to practice a discipline, we begin to learn and understand.
But first comes awareness. We have to wake up. Become aware of the possibility of living with God.
Faith Venture 
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