He ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.”
                        (Luke 19:4-5) NIV

I love the story of Zacchaeus the tax collector, whose very occupation was associated with sin. Yet, when he heard Jesus was coming to town, he ran to meet Him. Crowds blocked his view because he was short but he spotted a tree. There the story took a radical turn. Jesus sees everything, so I doubt He was surprised to find the tax man straddling a branch overhead. But in this story, it’s not Jesus or Zacchaeus that captures my attention — it’s the tree. Because God had planted it years earlier for that specific purpose: to grow until one day a short man in need of salvation would climb it to see His Son. God’s wisdom astounds me. That He cares so much about one small sinner leaves me in awe.
I need to recognize the “trees” in my life — the people and things Jesus planted in the path of my salvation.
Of course my mom & dad who had me in church from the time I was 2 weeks old and set for me an example of what a Christian looked like. My church family in the church I grew up in was such an influence on me including the 2 pastors who mentored me: Rev. J. Edward Hepburn and Rev. Ralph W. Hatch. I also need to mention 2 Sunday School teachers who were a wonderful influence: Marie Zimmerman & Helen Nicholson. They helped me understand what a Christian was and even helped me clarify God’s call on my life. As I look back, it seems Jesus planted an entire forest for my short, scrawny soul.
Now it’s my turn to be a “tree.” Who can I help pull up out of the world’s cares and help him or her see the Savior?

Faith Step:    Write down the “trees” God planted in your life to help you see Him better. Give thanks for each one. Think of people for whom you can be a “tree.”