One of the devotionals I follow is called Quiet Walk and it is emailed to me every day. You can get on their mailing list by going to www.crosswalk.com. One day this week the lesson was taken from Luke 15. As I read it, I thought of my Messages About Purpose and Strategy. It has a good reminder for us all. Here's an excerpt:

"Many things about God are difficult to understand. But there is one thing about God which is easy to understand. He earnestly longs for the lost to be saved. In the parable of the lost sheep, we see a God who is willing to leave the multitudes to seek just one which is lost. In the parable of the lost coin, we see a God who will move heaven and earth to find a prized possession. In the parable of the prodigal son, we see a God who rejoices with great joy when a lost one comes home. As Christians, we should not let that which we don't know cloud that which we do know. We must focus on the roses rather than the thorns. God loves the sinner, and on that, we can rest."

So many facets of the Christian faith and church ministry are complicated and confusing. But our purpose is clear. We honor God by leading people to follow Christ.