Lonely At The Top

Lonely at the Top

Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!” Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” Luke 19:8-10

We have all heard the term “down and out.” We have probably used it ourselves to refer to people who are having a tough go of life and need a lift. Churches and other ministries develop programs to reach folks down on their luck: soup kitchens, homeless shelters, community food and clothing ministries, housing assistance. All sorts of things have been developed through the years to reach those who are “down and out,” including sharing the love of Christ with them.

I have a friend who has coined the phrase “up and out,” referring to another group of folks who seem to have it all together: the wealthy, well-off, and respected people, in terms of worldly things. Luke 19 introduces us to one such man—the wealthy tax collector Zacchaeus, who was lost and out of touch with the living God. People like Zacchaeus may seem to have it all together, but when all the fanfare subsides and the day’s activities are done, they are empty and all alone.

They may seem unapproachable from a distance, but getting up close and personal may reveal that they are in desperate need of someone who really cares for them and of the touch of God. Some, like Zacchaeus, respond to Him with unbridled gratitude. So don’t shy away from someone because of their “untouchable” status. Maybe your attempt at connecting with the person will turn into a friendship that goes somewhere, maybe not. But it’s certainly worth a try.

Unfortunately, I saw this all too often in my thirty-one years in the NFL. People the world assumed had everything—wealth, notoriety, and public adoration—were lonely and hurting inside. I was often reminded of Christ’s question, “What do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?” (Matthew 16:26).

We should all strive to stay connected to the good things around us—our family and friends who have been with us throughout our journey—and seek to add other friends who will have a positive impact on us. In addition, we need to be proactive in seeking out and encouraging others, helping to keep them from becoming disconnected themselves.

Don’t ever assume that someone doesn’t need an encouraging word or your friendship, no matter what that person’s status might be.

Uncommon Key > If you work for a large company, ask someone at the top if there is anything in his or her life that the person would appreciate prayer for. That simple request often breaks down walls and may eventually lead to more spiritual discussions.