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| ps from ps “Zaccheus was a wee little man….a wee little man was he.” If you grew up in church and are older than 40, there is a good chance you could sing the rest of this song from memory. Zaccheus, not the tallest guy, climbs up a tree to see Jesus. Jesus sees him, talks to him and invites him to dinner. The relationship begins! And that invitation, meal and conversation change Zach’s life because he commits to giving half his stuff to the poor and righting all the financial wrongs he’s ever done! That’s some invitation! Some conversation! Some relationship! Some transformation. Invitation into relationship with Jesus and a community of faith can transform people’s lives. And when that transformation occurs, it can/should/might rearrange our priorities for our time, our possessions and our presence. I had this happen when someone invited me to Haiti years ago. After the earthquake in Port au Prince in 2010, I “climbed up a tree” to see what we could do to help. I found a local church that had a mission team stuck down there and showed up at their church to offer support. Instead of giving me a task to do to help, the staff person at the church just invited me into relationship with the faithful people that live in Haiti. And it transformed my life. Every minute I’ve spent there, prayer I’ve offered, relationship I’ve built and dollar I’ve shared has changed me. Has someone done that for you? Have you done that for someone? Either way, my guess is that transformation occurred. Probably on both ends of the relationship. I want to invite you this week to look up at the trees. Not for the falling leaves, but for those that might be struggling to see. Those that might be searching for a glimpse. Those that might be too afraid to get too close just yet. Those that need an invitation and a relationship. Those that might be looking for something, but not sure what this Jesus character is all about. Those that have gifts to give to the poor, but need a connection to do it. Those. And then, call their name. Start a relationship. Begin a conversation. Offer trust to come out of the branches. Invite them to a meal. Tell them your story. And listen. And then watch how God can still transform today!.Lord, may we look to the trees today. Amen. Still in One Peace, ps |
November 5, 2025
