My mother was short. She’d disappear in small crowds and even had problems in her own home. She couldn’t reach the second shelf of her kitchen wall cabinets, and struggled to get things off of it. I once saw her get a dowel rod, stretch up, and maneuver an item forward until it dropped off the shelf, and she caught it.

I’m 5’7″ and I reached it easily standing flat-footed. I always thought short females were cute. I never considered the challenges until I observed her handicap in the kitchen.

While looking at the story of Zaccheus recently, I was reminded of Mother. However, through Zaccheus, Robert helped me see that problems of shortness aren’t always measured in inches.

Zaccheus wanted to see Jesus, so he followed the throng to get a glimpse. But, the crowd blocked his view, because he was so short. Determined, Zaccheus climbed a tree in order to see better.

I suspect that it would seem a bit ridiculous for a wealthy man with an important position to climb a tree to get a better view. Nevertheless,  Zaccheus knew what he wanted and he wouldn’t be deterred. He didn’t let his height or his pride prevent him from reaching his goal.

I’ve known about Zaccheus since I was a small child. I’ve also known his efforts were rewarded by Jesus staying at his house, but until this past week, I haven’t considered how I am like Zaccheus.

Neither had I stopped to ask myself, “How short are you?” or “What crowd is in your way?” Crowds aren’t always made of people.

May I ask, is your crowd blocking your view of Jesus? Do your hobbies, things, interests, activities, or the demands of your family or job block your view? Or maybe it’s doubts, goals, priorities, or agendas? If you can’t see Jesus, you may be shorter than you think you are. Can you see Jesus?

Even more basic, is the question of goals. Do you share Zaccheus’ goal? Do you want to see Jesus badly enough to drop what you’re doing in order to go out of your way just to see Him? If you’re hampered in your efforts, do you look for creative ways to make it happen—even if you might look ridiculous? If not, do your priorities have you looking in the wrong direction?

Zaccheus was short of stature, but he did not have short goals and was not short on determination, creativity, and perseverance. He met his goal and was rewarded for it.

Jesus told us to “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matt. 6:33). Zaccheus modeled that for us. He sought Jesus, caught sight of Him, and was rewarded by entertaining Him in his home.

I confess that I’m not pleased with my height. It is easy to get caught up in chasing dreams and pleasures that block my view of Jesus. It’s easy to justify a quick glimpse of the Savior when a crowd pushes in, distracting my attention. Meanwhile, He’s standing at the door knocking, waiting to eat with me. (Rev. 3:20)

I don’t want crowds to get in the way so I miss an opportunity to fellowship with my Lord. Not my pleasures, hobbies, ministry, or family. I want to seek Him and to be disciplined and persevering so that I never miss His knock on the door.

He said, “Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find . . .. For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds . . .” (Luke 11:9-10). The verbs are continuous action. Ask and keep on asking. Seek and keep on seeking. That’s how we grow so we can see Jesus.

The problem with being too short to see doesn’t have anything to do with stature. It’s that we’re too easily distracted by things of the world. If we ask and seek as Zaccheus did, we will see Jesus. He’s waiting. He wants to come in and spend time with us.