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"When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, 'Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.'" — Luke 19:5 (CEB)

Have you ever felt like you just couldn’t keep up? Maybe you feel like everyone else has their life together, but you are falling behind.

In 1990, I joined the Army. I arrived at Basic Training overweight and was put on a special physical training program. It was hard work. I felt embarrassed and singled out. At the very end of training, I had one final physical fitness test to pass. If I failed, I couldn't graduate.

I failed my final Army Physical Fitness Test, but a week later, I was given one last opportunity.

I started running around that track all by myself. I was tired, scared, and convinced I wasn't going to make it. I felt completely alone. But suddenly, my Drill Sergeant—the man who had been the scariest person in my life for weeks—ran up beside me. He didn't yell at me to run faster. He started asking me questions to help me focus. He stayed right beside me until I crossed the finish line.

That moment on the track reminds me of a man named Zacchaeus in the Bible. Zacchaeus was a tax collector. People didn't like him. He felt like an outcast, so he hid in a tree to watch Jesus pass by. He probably expected Jesus to ignore him or look at him with judgment.

But Jesus stopped. He looked up. He didn't wait for Zacchaeus to become a better person before speaking to him. Jesus met him right there in the tree.

Sometimes we feel like we are on a spiritual "extra workout" program. We feel like we have too much baggage or too many doubts to be a "real" Christian. But Jesus doesn't wait for you to be perfect. He doesn't wait for you to win a marathon. He meets you exactly where you are—tired, sweaty, and hiding in a tree. He sees you, He loves you, and He wants to come to your house today.

Let's Connect: Do you have questions and want to go deeper? Doubt isn't the enemy; it's the start. Let's have an honest conversation. Text Pastor Vic at 509-919-1897 to schedule a time to meet.

Reflection & Prayer: Where in your life do you feel like you are "running alone" right now?

God, thank you for seeing me even when I feel overlooked. Today, I need your help with __________________.