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How precious each soul is to God is brought out through the parable of
the lost sheep. There was a certain man who had one hundred sheep. One
day, one of his sheep fails to return home. Notwithstanding the fact that
he has got ninety-nine sheep safely and securely put back into the pen,
this man will take a lantern and go out looking for the lost sheep in
the darkness of the night amid the howling wind and inclement weather.
Even though ninety-nine are there, what does it matter? He will go after
the one that is more precious to him than the ninety-nine he has got,
the one lost sheep. So over hill and dale, up mountain crag and heights
he will climb and endanger himself, risking his life, in order to find
the sheep and bring it back.
Such is the love of God, the Divine Love. This one lost
sheep is as precious to Him as the ninety-nine other sheep which He has
already got. Such is the love, the spontaneous love, the Father has for
each of you. The Father is always gracious. No matter what a stinker you
have been. No matter what depths of degradation you have fallen in, you
may have eaten with the swine. It doesn't matter. All that is nothing
in the eyes of the Father. Such is the parable of the prodigal son. When
the son willfully went away, the Father was so sad. He was pining for
the son more than the son knew. When the son returned, there were open
arms. Always a welcome is waiting for you, and the best robe, the choicest
robe. "Go, put my choicest robe upon my dear son who has returned.
Let everyone rejoice." There is no parable that brings out the relationship
between the individual and God more appropriately and wonderfully than
the parable of the prodigal son.
This is the relationship between God and the individual
soul. That is infinite love. And no barrier can stand between you and
He, only you must start moving towards Him. Ask of His Grace, and immediately
you shall have it in abundance. In His sight all are precious. As Jesus
proclaimed: "Come unto Me all that are weary and heavy-laden; I will
give thee shelter." God is love. If you have devotion to Him, all
other considerations are swept away. He doesn't care. He only sees your
heart.
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