“God rejoices. Not because the problems of the world have been solved, not because all human pain and suffering have come to an end, nor because thousands of people have been converted and are now praising him for his goodness. No, God rejoices because one of his children who was lost has been found” (Henri Nouwen).

I love the parables about the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost a. k. a. prodigal son. They all show how God places immense value and worth on an individual life.

All lives matter to God, whether Republican or Democrat, liberal or conservative, male or female, gay or straight, short or tall, fat or skinny. 2 Peter 3:9 says that God is not willing that anyone should perish but that everyone should come to repentance and faith and find freedom in Jesus.

And every time one of God’s children finds his or her way home, there’s a party in heaven. The angels rejoice. God rejoices.