“Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” – Jesus (Luke 19:5)

Life is like a treadmill that grinds on regardless of what we do. Some people are on board, going along just fine, enjoying the ride. Others are running ahead, like business people at the airport, late for something. Some folks are going backwards in a fight against the flow while others are about half way on, missing a shoe. Some have completely separated from the mill. They might be envious of those still on or are perhaps just content with watching the show. 

Many have no idea they are on a treadmill or are a little fearful of thinking about it. Some people on the treadmill complain about those who are not on board. “There is so much work to do! Why are you on the sidelines?” To them it is insane to leave the treadmill; there may even be shame for having fallen from it. Everyone has a relationship to the treadmill. Some love it, some hate it. You can take a holiday from it or run away from it, but it grinds on all the while.

The treadmill is not new. The people in Jesus’ world, just like us, had varying relationships with it. I am thinking of Zacchaeus and how Jesus called him off the treadmill, or the disciples who were minding themselves with trying to catch a fish or two. Life was probably just fine for them, but Jesus invited them into something different, something unknown. 

How is the treadmill working for you? Does your faith lie in the treadmill itself or might Jesus be calling you to a different relationship with the treadmill? Zaccheus and the disciples stepped out boldly and foolishly into something different, into a life of faith. Might you also be called to something different?

I look forward to seeing you at the truck or in the kitchen this coming year and hearing about your relationship to the treadmill!

Peace, 

Eric

Read the full story of Zacchaeus here

Eric is the Community Engagement Manager at Shobi’s Table. You can find him working in the kitchen in the mornings, and hosting the lunch table each day at the food truck.