924) There have been times in my life when I felt no one sees me. These feelings often come when I am hurting, misunderstood, rejected, or lonely. I can remember one time when I sat among a crowd of people and wondered if anyone even knew I was there. Of course, these thoughts come and go but I think I’m not alone in these feelings.

When I am in this place, my mind often takes me to the next logical question, and that is, does God see me? I know the Christian answer is, Of course he does! But until the day comes when I can run to Jesus and he will gather me in his arms, and I feel his comfort, see his compassion, I struggle.

There was someone else who most likely struggled with these very feelings in Luke 19:1-10. Here, we have a tax collector named Zacchaeus; someone who wanted to see Jesus. He climbed a tree to watch for him, as he was too short to look over the heads of others. When Jesus arrived under the tree, he looks up and sees Zacchaeus, though Jesus already knew he was there. Jesus stops and invites himself to visit in Zacchaeus’ home, even though he knew what kind of man Zacchaeus was, a hated tax collector. Zacchaeus becomes a follower of Jesus.

Does God come looking for us? Yes. What’s even more amazing is that God comes looking for us, even when he knows the sin within us. If I can remind myself of these facts, when I am hurting, misunderstood, rejected, or lonely, my heart can rejoice.

Rejoice with me; God comes looking for you, too.