Listen

Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through town. A man there named Zacchaeus, a ruler among tax collectors, was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but, being a short man, he couldn’t because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed up a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. When Jesus came to that spot, he looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, come down at once. I must stay in your home today.” So Zacchaeus came down at once, happy to welcome Jesus.

Luke 19:1-6

Think

I have always loved Zacchaeus, because I too am short. Ever since I learned the song “Zacchaeus was a wee little man; a wee little man was he…” I knew this was my guy. Do you ever feel like you come up short? Maybe not in stature, but your speed on the track? Your understanding in math? Your friend group at lunch?

Here’s a secret: everybody comes up short somehow. But you know what? That didn’t stop Zacchaeus. He didn’t shrug his shoulders and walk away. He didn’t lose himself in his iPhone. He didn’t start feeling sorry for himself and complaining. No: he knew he had to see Jesus, and he did what he had to do. He scrambled up a tree to claim his view.

And that’s what you can do too! Run ahead. Read the Gospels. Claim your right to see Jesus. You’ll be surprised how much he already knows you. In his eyes, you’ll never come up short.

Cari Pattison

Pray

Dear Jesus,
Help me push through the obstacles
that block my view of you.
Help me see you seeing me:
calling me down from hiding,
away from shame,
so we can meet.
Amen.

Go

The question is not whether God has called you.

The question is how and where and whether you will say “yes.”

Go into this day brave.
Go into this day believing.
Go into this day knowing
that you are already enough.