The Desire to Belong
OPENING PRAYER:
Loving Father, as we come before You, we seek Your guidance and wisdom. Reveal to us the importance of the community and connection You’ve designed us for. Open our hearts to embrace Your Word and the love You pour out for us. Amen.
"Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich. He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way."
REFLECT:
The story of Zacchaeus is a powerful illustration of the human desire to belong and be seen. Zacchaeus, a wealthy tax collector, and despite his wealth and status, he was despised by his community. This left him feeling isolated and rejected by his community. His act of climbing a tree to see Jesus was not just about curiosity; it was a desperate attempt to find acceptance and purpose. This mirrors our own lives, where we often go to great lengths to fit in and be part of a community. The message reminds us that this desire is God-given, and that true belonging is found in a relationship with Jesus.
In Christian’s message this weekend, he shared his own experiences of school lunch, where the lunchroom was a place to let loose and be oneself. He described the mad dash to secure a spot at the table, highlighting our universal desire to fit in and belong. This desire doesn't leave us as we grow older; it just evolves. We still seek to fit in at work, in our neighborhoods, and in our social circles.
Zacchaeus' story also challenges us to look beyond the superficial judgments we often make about others. Jesus saw Zacchaeus not as a despised tax collector but as a person in need of love and acceptance. This teaches us to see people through the eyes of Christ, recognizing their inherent worth and potential for transformation.
In our own lives, we may find ourselves climbing metaphorical trees, trying to get a glimpse of something or someone that can fill the void of loneliness. The good news is that Jesus sees us, knows us by name, and invites us into a relationship with Him. This relationship is the foundation of true community and belonging.
I WILL STATEMENT:
I will share a meal with someone that needs to see God's love. By extending this same love and acceptance to someone may help them feel seen or worthy.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, thank You for seeing us and knowing us by name. Help us to find our true belonging in You and to extend Your love and acceptance to others. Guide us in building genuine community and relationships that reflect Your love. Amen.