Short, simple devotionals are hard to find. Finding time each day can be tough, so we’ve compiled some good Bible verses to reflect on through verse reflections like this from Christian writers. Join us in learning about why the Bible matters and how God can speak to us through it.
God Will Love You No Matter What
High achiever problems are REAL folks. It’s a struggle to feel like you constantly need to be doing something.
Today, fellow high achiever, Sarah, jumps into this Bible verse and comes to realize that God will love you, no matter what.
Scripture: “When Jesus reached the spot he looked up and said to him, Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.’ So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly” (Luke 19:5-6).
Written by Sarah J Callen
I tend to be a pretty high achiever. I love tackling challenging problems and crossing items off of my seemingly endless to-do list. I can also fall into the trap of believing that I am what I do, which suggests that if I’m not doing anything, then I am nothing.
If I could label this last season, I would call it “emptying.” God even led me to stop doing things for him, like writing my blog. This clearing of my schedule left me feeling a little purposeless and unsure of myself.
But the truth is, even when I’m not doing things for God, he still loves and accepts me. What a radical concept!
We see this play out in Luke 19:1-10, where we meet a well-known Bible character named Zacchaeus. He’s a wee little man who climbed up in a tree, making his own box seats to see Jesus. Though at this point, Zacchaeus has done nothing for God (in fact, he has swindled money from God’s people), Jesus still invites himself over for a meal.
Zacchaeus had done nothing to deserve God’s love. He didn’t try to earn it, he simply received.
Out of this intimate encounter with the love of God, Zacchaeus was led to do something for God—it wasn’t the other way around. We don’t have to work or strive to achieve a relationship with God. We simply receive his grace and forgiveness. Then, from that place of deep love and relationship, we can do things with and for God.
Why It Matters
In our hurried, achievement-oriented world, understanding God’s free gift of grace, belonging, and relationship can change everything. No matter what we have or haven’t done, let’s choose to sit with God and simply receive his grace today.
We believe that simple devotions like this verse reflection help us to connect with God, so we’ve curated a whole stash of short Christian devotions. Check them out here!
