A Personal Encounter

I "personally" don't like automated systems when needing to resolve a situation. Sometimes you just need to talk with a real person.  More and more services are turning to a recording with you responding to pushing numbers on the phone.  Where have all the people gone? 

Luke 19:1-4

But, the bible tells of a wonderful personal encounter with a tax collector of all people. "Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy."  I'll skip from making a comment here.  "He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd.  So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way."  Zacchaeus was so moved to see the Lord he ran and climbed a tree. He wasn't embarrassed to find out about this man called Jesus.  How much effort do we give to learn about God and who he is? 

The Lord Passes By: Luke 19:5,6

"When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately.  I must stay at your house today.  So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly."  How gracious our Lord is because he rewards those who diligently seek him.  Zacchaeus did not have to question who Jesus was speaking to when he looked up at him and called out his name.  I wonder what they talked about as the Lord spent time at his house and with his family?  Talk about having some quality time.  

As Seen Through The Eyes Of A Child

On the way home from school with my daughter in the fall of 2008, we approached a blockade.  Police officers directed us to pull over at a popular restaurant near the airport.  President George W. Bush attended  a fundraiser, and was heading back to the airport.  We were allowed to stand beside our car.  Many other people also stood in the parking lot.  My daughter waited in anticipation. When President Bush's vehicle and his security drove by, she started waving.  The President turned our direction and waved back.  My daughter's face lit up and she was so excited.  She said to me, "mom he smiled and waved at me!"  I did not have the heart to tell her he was waving at everyone, not just my daugher. It made her feel special because an important person noticed her in the midst of all the crowd. 

My Prayer:

Dear Lord,  please pass by our way.  You already know us by name.  In Psalms 139:17, 18 it says, "How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!  How vast is the sum of them!  Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand."  Thank you for meeting us at our point of need as an individual.  We don't have to climb a tree to find you.  Help us understand how much you a want a  personal relationship with us.  Amen and amen.

Comments:

Please share a personal story to encourage others.  We are all on this journey together, and I would like to hear from you.  God Bless.