give selflessly

After Zacchaeus heard Jesus was coming, he ran to see who He was. But, being short, he could not see anything. So Zacchaeus, not giving way to his curiosity, climbed a tree just so He could see Jesus. But Jesus had other plans. He wasn't seeking to gain attention or recognition from the crowd, but He was seeking a heart - Zacchaeus'. After calling to Zacchaeus to take Him to his house for lunch, Zacchaeus' heart was forever changed. Why? Because just as in every other encounter that Jesus had with others, He didn't engage with Zacchaeus to get something from him, but Jesus engaged with Zacchaeus because of what He could give him of God's life.

Jesus is the example of how we are to live our lives. Here we see how Jesus was not focused on Himself, but on others, and because of that He was able to touch others lives with God's love. In our relationships, let us not seek how others can please us, or make us feel better, or even benefit us, but let us strive to open our eyes to what we can give them - God's love.

Many times I have wondered why I have lost a friendship after not living near that person any more. And as I look at this one aspect of relationships, I notice I have failed miserably at being selfless in relationships. It is so easy to want friends because of how I benefit from being with them. We were created for relationships, and God has given us the perfect example of how to build those relationships. Let us look to the One who never focused on Himself, and let us strive to be like Him!