Luke 19:3 He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the
crowd… Far too long I allowed myself to be too short by putting obstacles
in my way, which hindered me from seeing Jesus. I wanted to see Jesus and all
He had for me. I could sense He was near but I just couldn’t see Him because I
couldn’t see OVER the crowd. I realize I allowed thoughts, ideas, patterns,
behaviors and more to crowd my emotions, finances, physical body, mentality,
spirituality, relationships, character and time.
Zacchaeus was
short and had to climb a tree in order to see Jesus. I allowed myself to become
‘short’ by the choices I made to satisfy my cravings. In doing so, I allowed
other things to tower over me and around me so I couldn’t see Jesus and His
will for me. I allowed them to tower over me. I allowed myself to cower under
them too. I allowed them to become so tall and large that I couldn’t see past
them and eventually didn’t want to...until the stirring came once again to my
heart, mind, body and will.
4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road…I
have run ahead and today I have climbed the ‘fig tree’. I can see Jesus and His
will for me, clearly. I have and am saying yes, to what I know He wants for my
life.
5 …called him by name… Jesus graciously called me by name again today and
I allowed Him to renew His
ways, thoughts, plans, and will for my life instead of turning Him away and
crowding Him out. (I look with great expectation to You today Lord.) I
‘allowed’ sounds so prideful and pompous…yet, that’s what it comes down to,
right? I either allow Him to guide me or not. I allow myself to follow Him or I
follow this world, my enemies or myself. When I allow myself to follow Him,
though I may not say Jesus, God or Holy Spirit, I believe just by following His
will for my life is an act of surrender and a way to call Him by name…He is my
true helper. He wants the best for me and knows how to get it.
6, 7 Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took
Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. But
the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner”…
(the following are my prayers as I read through the Word.) I come quickly
to You, Lord, and open myself in every way to You with great excitement and
joy. I am definitely a notorious sinner and I'm thankful for Your grace.
8 Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I
will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on
their taxes, I will give them back four times as much… I will give the
knowledge You’ve given to me to share with others regarding eating, health,
vocals, songs, writing, lifestyle change and more. Help me to overcome myself
and pour into others.
9, 10 Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to
this home today for this man has shown himself to be a true son …For the
Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost…” I was
intentionally lost yet You came to me. You’ve come to rescue my life yet again.
May Your salvation be so evident in my life, upon my home and in it. Continue
to seek me and help me to seek You. Help me continue to show that recovery has
come to my home and me. Help me to also show that I am your true daughter, just
as Zacchaeus showed himself to be a true son.
It is time for me to live the
correct way my life should be lived. Your Kingdom lives inside and outside of
me but I need to live it Your way and not mine. I am not to live as others live
but how You want me to live and often times that looks completely different -
not eating, drinking, thinking, doing, desiring the things others do, even my
husband. You have called me to live a different life, an alternative lifestyle.
14 ‘We do not want him to be our king’… Forgive me for pushing You
away from being king of my life.
26 …to those who use well what they are given, even more will be given... Forgive
me for not using well the things You have given me. Thank you for blessing me
with more, though I don't deserve it. Let's do this God. Let's get it done.
27 And as for these enemies of mine who didn’t want me to be their
king—bring them in and execute them right here in front of me... Execute
all that is in and around me that does not want You to be king.
Proverbs 13:11 wealth (health) from hard
work grows over time… Emotional, Financial, Physical, Mental, Spiritual,
Relational, Character and Time WEALTH (health) from hard work and doing the
hard things grows over time. We can do this!