A couple of days ago I stepped out on our archery range. A new tradition of mine is to take a couple of shots before warming up or anything at the elk thats around 50 yards out.  Believe it or not one of my arrows missed the mark.  I thought I knew right where it went. I looked and looked, but I couldn’t find it.  I finally had to go get the rake.  After probably 45 minutes or so of raking it started raining. I still had not found my missing arrow.  I knew it was there, I had to find it, you see I valued it.  Most people would likely have quit looking after 5 minutes or so, because they might not see the value in one arrow.  My search was labor intensive.  As I raked I built up quite a sweat.  The pouring rain detoured me for a while, but I was determined to give it another go at it.  You see I valued the arrow; this was an arrow I made.  Once the rain let up I walked back up to the spot, and reflected on where it could have gone.  At this point I had already raked half the hill side in a straight line from the target.  I had to find it, you see I valued it. During this time ( yes mom - I had prayed about it) I asked the Lord several times to help me find it, I was confident I would,  it was just going to take a little more time.  I asked the Lord if this is how he feels about his lost children?  The ones who are lost but can be found. The bible says in Matthew 18:10-12“See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angles in heaven always see the face of my father in heaven.  What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go look for the one that wandered off?  After reflecting on this verse, I exclaimed “I get it Lord”. Two small swipes later and there was my arrow!  Yes I rejoiced that I found my lost arrow.  How much greater does the father rejoice over the one who was lost but is now found.  Finding that arrow was a great example for me that day.  You see I was becoming weary looking, sweating, laboring over that which was lost.  I kept looking because I valued the arrow; I think anyone who has ever lost something of value can relate to the effort that goes into finding what is lost.  The same is true for these precious young men that we have the privilege to mentor.  It is labor intensive, a lot of sweat, tears, and prayer goes into each young man. Sometimes it takes years for them to fully commit their lives to the Lord.  Yes we get weary, wondering if its worth it, if we’re making a difference.  This verse is all I need to know if the labor is worth it. I can place full confidence in the word and know that our labor is not in vain. “And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wonder off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.”Matthew 18:13-14

This example is exactly why we invest our time,  sweat,  tears, and resources into these young men. God says they’re worth it.  You see God values them, and so do we. 

I ask you to pray about partnering with MOA. I promise you it is a worthy investment.