The True Driver of Change

Luke 19:8 But Zaccheus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Yesterday Elaine arranged a zoom call for some friends to celebrate my birthday, which was earlier this week on the 10th. They came from different avenues of introduction and entered my life at different eras. One said “I’ve known John since 1992” and another said “I haven’t known John that long because I was born in 1992!” As they went around to share a bit about what they remembered of me, one theme that came out though was that of change. I think most of them agreed that I had changed a lot through the years, and especially over the last 5 or 6 years. This morning our pastor mentioned the story of Zaccheus in his sharing, and I started to reflect on what drives change. In the case of this corrupt tax collector, it was very simple an encounter with God. It drove a total transformation from a selfish man who had probably cheated thousands of people, to a generous man with a heart to bless those thousands back in multiples. Lord, you’re so good for chasing after me even in the midst of my rebellion. I have so much more change that I need to undergo, but I know that it’s not the change you desire, it’s the relationship. I just want more of you God… more presence, more encounter, more intimacy. With that I know incredible transformation comes as an outflow. Thank you for showing your face and making all that possible. In your son’s name, Amen.