Recovery : Lost and Found (Things)

This morning as we assembled together for brothers' fellowship I discovered that my official Transformer Trio Laptop was stolen. Immediately, we had a fellowship with the saints who took care of new ones' meeting last night. On detail investigation we boiled down to two "suspects" who also attended the meeting last night. It was a real life test of how we would deal with a situation like this. We prayed and looked to the Lord for wisdom how to handle this case, and that we may learn what the Lord wanted us to learn. Then we formed a team of four brothers who would further investigate and confirm the real culprit. 

Firstly we checked on the real suspect on his word last night saying that he had to submit official papers to his associate office and left earlier in hast. But on on-site visit and enquiry we confirmed that he lied. Then we went to a showroom where he claimed to work. There too we confirmed that he didn't turn up for work either. These two trials gave us enough evidences of who the culprit really was. Thirdly, we further went to meet his friend who was also present last night, and on frank conversation, he gave more clues that the former one was the culprit. Fourthly, we called this suspect from a different phone number which he didn't pick up, but he called back to find out who called him. Then having enough evidences, we spoke to him politely to return the stolen laptop. Though he tried to hide his identity, his tone and phone number matched him. Later, he called back another acquaintance, other brother, and we spoke and tried to convince him to return the laptop. Still he pretended as though he knew nothing about it. But the more he defended himself, the more suspicious he became to us. Left with no more option, we just politely requested him to return back the stolen laptop as we were very much confirmed that he was the one. Finally, we gave up all human method of recovering the lost laptop.

Along with the brothers in one accord we all prayed that the Lord would forgive him, convict him, and perfect us in dealings with case like this. We left the rest to the Lord. But deep within me the Lord confirmed again and again that the lost thing will be recovered.  I also left fully to the Lord's wise hands. Later, he called up to inform that the lost laptop was with his friend and he would bring it back. The Lord did touch his conscience and he decided to return it back.

In the afternoon, brothers went to meet him and he returned the laptop with deep regret and remorse. As fellowshipped, instead of accusing him, he was shepherded. And the laptop was recovered back, and on this same system is this blog typed.

This case taught us some important principles in propagation and shepherding new ones. The fault is on our side too as we have not been wise enough, and carelessly gave ground to the enemy by not securing things with us. This also taught us to be more discerning of all the new ones. When God blesses with spiritual fruits the enemy is not silent either. Along with the wheat also grows tares. We must rightly discern and take appropriate action.

Overall, it was an experience of recovery of things lost and found. Our Christian life and the church life will have many experiences like this; a recovery of what was lost, and now found, in persons, matters and things.