Hurry Hurry!

“He entered Jericho and was passing through.  And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich.  And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature.  So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way.  And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.’ So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully.  And when they saw it, they all grumbled, ‘He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.’  And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, ‘Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.’  And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham.  For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.'” Luke 19:1-10

He’d heard He was coming and scrambled toward Him. The crowd was too great so he ran to the tree. Quickly, no time to slip, he climbed to his perch, didn’t want to miss a glimpse, a word. He had to see who He was. The One who would be his Savior knew the urgency in his heart to come, to see, to believe. So He beckoned him to hurry down as quickly as he’d made his way up, to converse with Him who could change his life. I’m coming into your house, your world, your heart, today.

With Jesus it’s in or out, yes or no. When God gives the opportunity and eagerness, He supplies the joy to receive all He has to give. The longer we hesitate or linger in doubt, the more excuses we make. The longer we procrastinate, the greater the distractions and reasons to put off decisions. When we hurry toward His appearing and invite Him into our home and mess and business, there is much in store.

Are we all in for Jesus, zealous to know who He is and see Him work? Are we too full of self and busy with mundane living to acknowledge our limited stature before His majesty? Will we make our way out of the crowd of ordinary toward the best and extraordinary change-agent?

How quickly do we respond when God does call, or convict, no matter how difficult the assignment? How promptly do we answer His nudging to reach out, make things right, lend a service? We do not know how long we will have to serve Him on earth, but we do know the Lord has given this day for His purposes. Are we open to all He wants to rearrange in our priorities? How are we investing our moments for His kingdom’s sake? (Genesis 22:1-3; Luke 12:20; James 4:14)

Lord, may I make haste to seek You every day, and eagerly prepare You room to fill and overflow from my life, to the benefit of others and Your resounding praise.