Living Found vs. Living Lost
A Journey to Authenticity and Purpose
‘When we live lost, we settle for a lesser life, a part far too small. We are subject to the frustration that results in drinking too much, eating too much, sleeping too much, working too much, complaining too much, and judging others far too much. But once we get our bearings, become oriented, then we are able to do what we were created to do—love. Be loved by God, love God back, and help others experience the same.’
– Search and Rescue by Michael Thompson
Understanding Living Lost
Living lost means moving from one urgent moment to the next without a purpose other than to get through that moment. It’s the aimless complacency of making it through the day, only to start all over again the next day with no real direction. Along the way, relationships tend to be shallow and unfulfilling as you work hard to hide how lost you are. You simultaneously work to both impress others and to keep them “out of your business.” You put up walls to hide, to self-protect, and to paint a pretty façade, so the people around you don’t really know you. They can’t “know” what they have never been allowed to authentically see, which implies living lost means isolation and loneliness as well. It means going from moment to moment trying to manage the chaos enough that you don’t drown. Little of real value is pursued or accomplished. Just plugging along your fairly aimless, settled path.
Ask Yourself...
At the end of the day, what kind of life have you settled for?
Embracing Living Found
Living found implies being known, recognized, treasured, and where you’re supposed to be. Living found looks like walking in authenticity and integrity—being real and really being who you present. Living found is steadfastly knowing who you are and where you’re going without constantly looking for the people around you to feed you that information. And yet, you cannot live life fully found without being “seen” by the people around you. Your deepest sorrows and longings, anxieties and pleasures, stumbling blocks, and goals are connected to others and reflected by others. For healing, breaking down the walls of your heart, becoming authentic and known, you have to involve exposure to people in the process. You must know that you are not alone.
To live found, you must take a hard look at how the people around you have powered over and dominated your sense of self, purpose, and direction, and how you’ve let them, for whatever reason. You will need to find your voice again and speak the things you have not been allowed to say, to share from your heart the hopes, dreams, and experiences you have not been allowed to feel. The impact of emotional abuse—the trauma of your personhood being consistently dominated by another created human being—will need to be looked square in the face and confronted with the healing truth that God gives no one else the authority to decide who you are. Your identity, value, and worth can be conceptualized in a whole new way when you take the time to look for healing and to “find yourself” again. This is what living found means.
Ask Yourself...
What might it be like to come out of hiding, to stand straight, take a curious look around, and live found and free?
Take the first step to transforming your life.
By embracing the concept of living found, you can transform your life from one of aimless wandering to one of purpose and fulfillment. Let go of living lost and step into the authentic, connected life you were meant to live.
Key Differences in Living Lost vs Living Found
Living Lost
Living Found
Direction & Purpose
Aimless, complacent, no real direction.
Purposeful, directed, knowing who you are and where you’re going.
Relationships
Shallow, unfulfilling, characterized by hiding and self-protection.
Authentic, connected, characterized by openness and being known.
Emotional State
Isolation, loneliness, frustration.
Connection, healing, authenticity.
Self-Perception
Dependent on others’ perceptions, hiding true self.
Self-assured, authentic, real.
Life Outcome
Lesser life, aimlessness, dissatisfaction.
Fulfilled life, purpose, satisfaction.
