Every One; A Story

All the hurt, pain, and struggles we go through in our life, are not unique to only us. Every person on this earth struggles with something similar at one point or another.

I was very humbled and convicted last night as I listened to someone, who I had wrongfully judged, talk about their life, and their struggles. I couldn't believe that I could be so selfish and have such a  hard heart toward this person. I learned last night the idea that Everyone Has A Story.

I think of Jesus' ministry and all the people that he talked to. People that we would just pass up on the streets and not think twice about them, or people that we automatically have a bitter spirit toward because of something they are associated with, or even something that we have even just heard about them. 

As obvious as this may seem, I think of Jesus' ministry to Zaccheus and how it shows us a great example of getting to know someone's story. Everyone knew Zaccheus as a tax collector and a very rich man. However, Zaccheus had more of a story than that. There was something deep within him that wanted to know Jesus, he wanted what Jesus had to offer, that's why he climbed a tree, just to grab a glimpse! 


What's awesome about this story is that there were so many people crowding around Jesus and He looks up, right at Zaccheus, and says "Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house" (v.5). Jesus took the time to get to know Zaccheus' story outside of what all the townspeople had known him as, a sinner. 

This makes me think, who are the Zaccheus' in my life. The ones who I put a label or a name on before I even know more about their life. Where do they hurt, where are they struggling, what is it in their lives that may make them the way they are. Are they searching for something that if I just looked up, I could help them out?
These are the people that I want to get to know. 
These are the ones that I want to help.


Just a Jenna Journal