Tag Archives: Zacchaeus

2 steps to move you toward your life changing moment

 Tree

I have been thinking about certain before and after moments in my life. These are those moments where after them, “life will never be the same.” I didn’t always realize till afterwards how dramatic a change it would be after the event. The day that I got married was one of those moments. In the course of a 24 hour period my life would be changed forever. Other moments include the birth of our daughter, graduations, and job moves. In a moment things are changed in the story of my life for ever.

I have also had God moments that changed the direction of my life. They became like turning the page of a book and being in a whole new chapter. Some of them even felt like a whole new book was being written. One of my favorite sayings is that, “God can do in a moment what would take us a lifetime.” What if you could create more of those moments in your life? Here are two things you can do.

God can do in a moment what would take us a lifetime.
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Keep going after God even when it was difficult.

I love the story of Zacchaeus. I was in a prayer service and someone pointed out how Jesus said that “today” salvation had come to his house. Zacchaeus had a before or after moment. The trajectory of his life and maybe his family was changed from that moment. But he had to push through some challenges to get to his experience with Jesus. We may have to push through our own reservations, cultural expectations or something else to get in the presence of Jesus for our life changing moment.

Work at the skills that you have right in front of you.

I am doing a study of the books of 1 and 2 Samuel. We all love the story of David and Goliath. But in David’s mind he was prepared for that life changing moment because he had become good with the sling while he was waiting for a moment like that. He knew he was anointed to be king, but became skilled with a sling while he was waiting. If you want to experience graduation from high school there will be a lot of moments of working on skills when you don’t feel like it. What part of your your relationship with God do you need to work on as you move toward your life changing moment?

If you press in to God even when it is difficult and work on the things right in front of you there are life changing moments in your future. Don’t give up at the bottom of the tree that Zacchaeus climbed to get to see Jesus. Don’t get an attitude about protecting the sheep in your care because you are someday going to be king. Your future self will thank you.

Confessions of a short person: Lessons in pursuit by a wee little man.

For those who have never met me, you should know that I have never been accused of being tall. As a kid there was never a line to try to get me to sign up to be center for a basketball team. This might be why I have a draw to Zacchaeus. At one of the churches I was pastor they even had an ongoing joke about me and Zacchaeus. I mean it would be just like me to have the song I am known for be, “Zacchaeus was a wee little man…” I am still scarred by the song, “Short people don’t deserve to live.”

But Zacchaeus got something right. And he has some important thoughts for each of us no matter how tall we stand. Zacchaeus is a model of passionate pursuit of Jesus.

First think of the desire he must have had to climb a tree. He had an opportunity to see Jesus and he wouldn’t pass it up. We have a continual opportunity to meet with Jesus so sometimes we take it for granted. Zacchaeus didn’t wait for later to go after Jesus. How much effort will we put into spending time with Jesus?

How much effort will we put into spending time with Jesus? Let’s go after Him!
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Second, he didn’t let his dignity get in the way. Zacchaeus worked with the Roman government. He didn’t allow the thought of, “What will the Romans think if they see me in a tree?” keep him from His pursuit. How many of the people he had to collect taxes from did he see as he climbed up the tree? What are the things that are keeping you from a passionate pursuit of Jesus?

Finally, he let his encounter impact his life. After Zacchaeus met with Jesus his heard was changed. His life was changed. Meeting with Jesus led to more than just a good feeling. Will you allow your time with Jesus to change the outflow of your life? I often need to capitalize on what God does in my life so it doesn’t slip away.

I often need to capitalize on what God does in my life so it doesn’t slip away.
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Let me encourage you to not let anything get in the way of your pursuit of Jesus. If we let it any moment could truly change our lives. That could even be today!