Effort
Some months ago, I was musing on the story of Zacchaeus.
Luke 19: 1-10. The story of Zacchaeus.
Zacchaeus, short in stature, searching, searching for something. He climbs a Sycamore tree, searching. He has heard of this man Jesus. Who is he? Searching, looking for this man, looking for the missing piece, following a burning desire in his heart.
Effort, Zacchaeus had to put in effort, a short man, effort to climb a tree, effort to see this man Jesus. He needed to pursue that burning desire, to put in the effort to search for Jesus. It changed the course of his life!
I too need to put in effort, to search for Jesus, to find that missing part in my life. Not focus on what I do, how I think things should be done, how others are not doing things how I think they should be done.
Keep my focus on Jesus and all else will fall into place as he wills!
Romans 12: 3-11. Each has different gifts.
God has given us all skills, from the out front leader to the cleaner, the tea maker. The skills needed to run the world are vast and wide, and also to run our church.
I am always impressed with someone who would never stand up and speak, yet will run the kitchen with precision, produce beautiful gardens, fantastic flower decorations. Our skills are all different and varied.
For myself, God has led me to the upfront Music during mass, Leadership role in Joshua Catholic Men’s Fellowship, and behind the scenes handyman. (You will notice from my ramblings I am certainly no word smith). When I first joined the Music Ministry here at OLOL, (another interesting story), I was terrified, hiding in the back, unwilling to lead.
I did not, and do not consider myself to be a gifted musician or singer. More a chord hack with a croaky old voice. It is a journey, to focus on Jesus so that He can do as He wills in my life.
Joshua Catholic Men’s Fellowship has been a stable grounding, encouraging me to pursue friendship’s of trust with men. It is challenging to lead a group of men. Helping each other to claim our place, in the church and society. We men have been to willing to slip into the background. Do your own count on who is prominent in service in our churches. Have we become too fearful of putting a foot wrong?
As for myself, I have to not worry about the how’s, the whys etc. All I am asked to do is focus, focus on Jesus, to search for Jesus, to put in the effort to search, to focus on His call, step forward and let him lead as He wills!
It is easy to ignore that opportunity, to coast along and remain in the shadows. Zacchaeus put in the effort to search for Jesus, to pursue the desire in his heart, to fill a void he may not have known he had.
John Hammond