Emmaus

I started a new study this week.  It's called Mended and it's by Angie Smith. 

She is my new favorite (check her out here).  And thank you, Jesus, it has already been so good for my heart.  I cannot wait to get up in the mornings, hit the remote on my fireplace logs, and settle in for some time in the word and my fresh new journal before jumping into my day.  It makes 5:30 am less painful.  This morning, I did NOT want to leave it. 

I was reading in the book and in Luke 24 about Jesus appearing to the disciples on the road to Emmaus.  Did you know Emmaus means "warm springs" and it's a place people went for healing?  It was only a seven mile walk from Jerusalem, whether they intended to go there for healing, they found that as they walked alongside Jesus that day.

I think disappointment is one of the hardest things to deal with.  Sunday, our pastor, Doug, even mentioned that it's much better to be surprised than to be disappointed. Kind of that "keep your expectations low" mentality ... just to avoid being let down.   I would imagine those guys were feeling pretty let down that day.  Don't we all sometimes. 

Like the disciples, I'm a bit disillusioned with life some days.  Just doesn't seem like it happened the way I planned it, or dreamed it, or even wanted it.  I'm disappointed ... and some days wonder, like they did, just where this Jesus is that I've followed so closely.  Did I deny Him?  Am I feeling alone?  Is He who He says?  Can I trust truth?  What IS truth? 

But in the midst of that, Jesus came and walked alongside them.  He reminded them of truth and they didn't even know it was Him.  Not even knowing, they wanted him near.  They begged Him to stay.  And in the end, their eyes were opened to see it had been HIM all along.

Dealing with some disappointments these days.  Thankful to be able to walk alongside Jesus on that road ... even when I don't realize it's Him that's there, sensing a peace that makes me want to draw nearer.  Begging Him to stay near.  Thankful that with Him, there's not need to keep expectations low, for He alone is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, more than we can even ask or imagine.  I am asking.  He is near.

Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.

 ~ Corrie ten Boom