LUKE 19 VERSE 5
We recently enjoyed a visit from our youngest daughter from the USA, and during the two-week visit we also played host to three friends for a weekend as they joined us in our church’s 100-year celebration.
Though two of our friends used their Roma van in our drive overnight, the preparations were quite intense. We had plenty of notice, and this required changes to bedrooms and moving furniture, revealing the need for dusting and vacuuming. I trust that readers will appreciate that we do not live in a dirty home; rather, moving items from their usual positions often reveals previously hidden particles of dust. Then, of course, there was the need for adequate food and other supplies and the concern as to how six people could use one bathroom for early morning routines. Reflecting a week later on an intense weekend, it is lovely to recall how everything went smoothly and the wonderful fellowship we enjoyed with other visitors as well.
Reflecting on the preparations for the needed changes reminded me of the verse quoted above and Jesus’ words to a short man, squatting in a tree to see Him. “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today”.
I wondered whatZacchaeus’ immediate reaction was. Was it panic, excitement, fear? It was a challenge to me, because God knows all about us without visiting our home. The apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 11: 28 encouraged his readers in relation to the act of obedience we usually call communion. “Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of this bread and drink from the cup.” Also, I recall an exhortation from my youth, “Keep short accounts with God”.
I recognise there is quite a difference between the cleanliness of our homes and our hearts, so may we know divine help to avoid spiritually panicked situations.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You know everything about us; nothing is hidden from You, so help us to remember this so we may be stimulated on a regular basis to be in a right condition and relationship with You. AMEN