See the way

Zacchaeus was shorter than most. I can relate. He lived in Jericho, which I don't really relate to but that's okay. One day Jesus was walking through town. There was a crowd & Zacchaeus couldn't see over the top. He was looking for Jesus but all he could see was shoulder-blades. Or maybe knee-caps, depending on how wee of a man was he.

Sometimes it seems like you're looking for Jesus but there is something in the way. You want to see Him, you want to go the right way, do the right thing, make the right choice, but its hard to see the way. Sometimes like Zacchaeus, it seems that the hindrance is me, or something about the way I am. That's just the way I am. Why do I always do that? Etc., etc., etc.

Zacchaeus didn't let that stop him. He got to a higher place. He ran ahead & climbed a tree. Now he was well above everyone. So much that he attracted the attention of Jesus.

In our hearts, that higher place is often the place of praise. When I can't see Jesus, I need to lift my voice in praise, let my song be heard, lift my heart in thanksgiving. Speaking in faith the goodness of God, thanking Him for everything He has done, gets my eyes off the problem & opens my heart to receive His Word.

Need a path through the Red Sea? God can handle it (just ask Moses). An entire army chasing you down to kill you? No problem (Moses again. Or David. Or Hezekiah. I could go on). The devil himself against you? Already defeated. God does not have challenges, and even if He did, it would have to be something way bigger than the issue I'm facing today.

Praise lifts my heart to the place I can see Jesus, where my heart is open to hear His word. Looks like the Bible says it attracts His attention to me. As my friend Scott says, "Praise Him!"