Written By: Leason Dancaescu | CS Gulf Coast Regional Coordinator

Photo by: Zane Miller | CSUS Outreach Coordinator

On a recent trip to Indo, it was the last day of the trip, and I was out for dawn patrol. I was out with a decent crowd of around 15-20 guys; by skill level, I was medium to low in the pecking order. As I was paddling and zig-zagging out of other people’s way, I ended up in position with one other guy. He looked over, saw me, and for whatever reason nodded me in. Deep but not too deep, I immediately arm-barred on take off, and it opened up. I hit the front foot gas pedal and pumped one big pump and got a proper barrel over the foamball and came out with the spit — hands on my head in disbelief. The rest of the session, all I could think about was how that wave seemed like it was sent to me to redeem the whole trip — all the head dips, barrel dodges, and blown tubes, all redeemed in that moment.

It got me thinking about Zacchaeus.You know the story, the tax collector who was short and climbed the tree, just to get a glimpse of Jesus, to see what He was all about. But Jesus didn’t leave him in that tree; he saw him, and Jesus called out to him and told him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today” (Luke 19:5). 

Jesus saw him, and what followed redeemed more than just a surf trip; it redeemed the life of this reviled and hated tax collector. 

Sometimes I think people who are not fully convinced in their faith are climbing their own tree to get a good view  — to see for themselves what Jesus is all about — from a safe distance. But the beautiful thing about this part of scripture is that it shows that Jesus sees you too. He is looking for you! He wants to offer you more than just a redeeming wave. He wants to offer your life eternal redemption and a new way of living. I urge you, just accept His offer to come “stay at your house” — to be in close community with you and experience the redemptive power only Jesus can offer.