The Secret To Standing Out From The Crowd
Is there something in our life that we know in our hearts isn’t quite the way that it should be? Is there something that we are wrestling with? Do we feel stuck in a certain situation? Or do we know that God has something more for us, but we are not sure how to get there? Is there something that is holding us back? Maybe all we need to overcome these situations is a change in perspective.
Scripture:
“So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.” – Luke 19:4
Observation/Application:
When Jesus was traveling through Jericho, a man named Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus. But he was short and couldn’t see Jesus through the crowd. So he climbed a tree in order that he might see Jesus. And when Jesus saw Zacchaeus he told him to come down immediately so that Jesus could spend some time with him. Inf fact Jesus invited himself to stay at his house.
What happened when Zacchaeus went out of his way to see Jesus? Jesus recognized him immediately. It was easy to see Zacchaeus when he changed his perspective, when he changed his approach. It was easy to see him when he rose above the crowd, and what everybody else was doing. Zacchaeus was blessed by Jesus when he eagerly sought Jesus. When he eagerly sought Jesus with his heart, his actions followed and Zacchaeus put himself into a position to be seen and blessed.
Like Zacchaeus, sometimes we just need to go out of our way to get a different perspective. We need to do something different that the crowd is doing if we want to see Jesus. If we are not seeing Jesus work in our lives, maybe we should change our perspective, and change our approach. Maybe we need to attend a different church. Maybe we need to read and pray more. Maybe we need to praise God more. Maybe we need to praise him from the depth of our hearts. For everyone it is something different. But God knows those who truly seek him and truly love him. And God recognizes those who go out their way and seek him.
Let us seek God today, and be led to do something different, so that we might rise up and stand above the crowd, change our perspective, and clearly see Jesus.
Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for your Word today. We thank you for the wisdom and insight that you give us in the Word each and every day. Fill our hearts and our lives with all of your goodness. Help us to seek you earnestly Lord. Help us to prayer more earnestly. Help us to praise you with all of our hearts. Let us not be worried and held back by those around us Lord. Lead us closer to you. Let us see your face clearly Lord. Bless your humble servant Lord, that your work might be done in us for your glory. We love you Lord, and glorify your holy name. Help us to have a blessed day today Lord, and keep our hearts close to you all throughout the day. We know that you reward those who earnestly seek you Lord, and we declare your blessing in our lives. We give you all the honor and glory, in Jesus mighty name. Amen.
Image courtesy of: Ian W Scott
Photo By Ian W Scott