A Faith That is Willing to Climb



Does it ever feel like your circumstances tower over you? Like it’s hard to see clearly because that thing—that one thing you’re going through—just seems to be all up and in your face?

I so understand.

Our towering circumstances can make us feel miniscule. Insignificant. And try as we might, we just can’t seem to see above, around, or past them.

Sometimes what we need more than anything is fresh perspective and fresh eyes of faith to see beyond what is staring us in the face—to see the potential and the promise—not just the lousy facts.

This week I re-read the story of Zacchaeus, the short-statured man who strongly desired to see Jesus but couldn’t because those crowding around him were all taller. (See Luke 19)

Everything around him blocked his view.

So, Zacchaeus got desperate and did something unexpected. He climbed a sycamore tree.

Zacchaeus determined to get to the place where nothing—nothing would block his view of Jesus. And once he climbed that sycamore tree, not only did he see Jesus, he captured Jesus’s attention.

When everything around us is blocking our view of Jesus, we need to ask ourselves a question: When was the last time I got determined to do whatever it takes to see Jesus?

Are we willing to climb up—in prayer—in faith—so that we might see Jesus in spite of the circumstances crowding around us?

Perhaps, like Zacheus, our faith feels small. Perhaps WE feel too insignificant for Jesus to notice us at all. But when we determine to rise above our circumstances and climb up in faith, we will secure a holy vantage point and fresh vision.

We will see Jesus.

And Jesus will take notice.

Our determination to rise above our circumstances actually draws Jesus to us. And the beautiful part is, He will come and stay in our homes—our hearts.

Sweet friends, when Jesus is with us, it changes everything. I encourage you this week to get determined and climb above your circumstances—until you can see Him.

And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. (Colossians 3:2)

 How about you? Is there a situation you need to climb above? Are you battling a crowd of stuff that’s blocking your view of Jesus? Leave me a comment and I will pray for you this week.

The WINNER of a signed copy of Prayers For a Woman’s Soul (chosen randomly from last week’s commenters) is Ritam Safari. Congratulations! Please send me an email with your mailing address by April 9th.


14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh yes, I have circumstances that are crowding my view. My health issues, an aging mother with health issues, a child struggling to bring up her grades, financial issues, etc etc etc. Some days it all seems more than I can deal with. The stress gets heavy. I know these are small things for God, but I need a better view! Thanks for your prayers, Julie.

BethA

Anonymous said...

I, like Beth above, have circumstances that are crowding my view. My health issues, husband's even worse, a daughter (single Mom) with housing, health, finance, job issues, and a grandson with college decisions and awful relations with his Dad. Thanks for your prayers, Julie.

Anonymous said...

Praying for my cousin who is in a battle for her marriage. We just had talked today about having faith in God when we can't see past our circumstances. Thank you for the words you shared today. I will be sharing them with her. :)

Anonymous said...

Thank you for today's post. It was WONDERFUL!!!! EXACTLY WHAT I NEEDED!! It has been quite a journey for the last 6 years of cancer, job issues, major car accident, deaths, leg amputation and other health issues which has brought financial issues. And I have held it together well until recently. And now I have anxiety and right now it seems way bigger than what I can handle even though I know that is a LIE!!!!! But my head can't seem to have peace on some days!! So today's post was wonderful!! Thank you again Julie!!!!

Janice said...

Thank you for your devotion today. Please pray about our financial needs today. I know my God will provide but sometimes I worry and get stressed when I know I shouldn't.

Unknown said...

Julie thank you for this message. I needed to hear it and Zacheus is one of my favorite Bible stories. Love you

Hester's Heart said...

Great post Julie! And, I appreciate the personal application of doing whatever it takes to see Jesus. . . Kind of reminds me of the men (Mark 2) who carried their paralyzed friend on a mat to get to Jesus. They didn't let the crowd deter them either, so they tore a hole in the roof and lowered him down. (Men and women of faith will 'raise the roof' when trying to get to Jesus and not allowing obstacles to get in the way).

Thank you for your words today.
Love, Hester ;)

Love to you, Hester ;)

Susan said...

Amen, Julie! Yes -- I need to focus, which seems to be an ongoing request for me. There are so many shiny things, and I'm working hard to not be distracted. And climb above them so I can hear better.
Thank you for praying for me!

Missy said...

Thank you so much for these encouraging words! You are so right, I need to climb above my circumstance like Zacheus to see Jesus! That is such a good way to put it! My circumstances are blocking my view so much and I keep trying to push through them to Jesus, so please pray for me to finally break through for good! God is so good, I trust these circumstances will not continue to block my view. Thank you for your prayers and I will be praying for you as well!

Jill Beran said...

Oh Julie, I needed this post today!! One of those days in the life of a homeschooling Mom...if I could have ran-away I think I would have!!! Thanks for showing me the action I need to take is a climb above...praying for the opportunity to do that soon!! Blessings to you! Thanks as well!!

Anonymous said...

I need prayers. My father has alzestimers and my mom wont except the fact we need help.

Anonymous said...

I need prayers. My father has alzestimers and my mom wont except the fact we need help.

jojo said...

i need prayer. i’m in a battle for my marriage after 17 yrs of being together, we are separated. I want a restored godly marriage with all my heart, but my husband is not living a godly life and is not willing to do what it takes to reconcile. I need prayer to find joy beyond my circumstance and have faith that my husband will turn his heart back to God and that we can rebuild our marriage. I need to daily rise above this pain and continue to keep my eyes on Jesus. He is the only one that can change hearts and heal.

Sistergirl said...

Great Post,
I have heard the story for years but have never thought about it in those terms, thank you for making my day better:)

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