Take a step.
On the road to Emmaus, we see
two men walking , when they are joined by a stranger. Their concern was that with Jesus dead, their
hope that He would be the one who redeemed Israel was also defeated. Now they weren't certain what to do.
Take a step.
In Acts, Peter and John were
on their way to the temple when they came across a man lame from birth. Through the power given them by Christ, and
invoking the power of Christ, Peter commanded the man to stand up and walk.
Take a step.
Our Psalm today tells
us: "Seek the Lord and his
strength; seek his presence continually.
Remember the wonderful works he has done, his miracles, and the
judgments he has uttered."
Take a step.
Christ said to the men on the
road, "'Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things
and then enter into his glory?' Then
beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things
about himself in all the scriptures."
We've been told from time immemorial that these things would happen, that
all things are possible through God's strength and presence. We have to trust in the works and words that
God has said, repeatedly.
Take a step.
God knows so much more, and
He knows the future perfectly, so we have to step out in obedience first. Faith
is taking that first step of obedience.
Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "Faith is taking the first step even
when you don't see the whole staircase."
We tell our children to do certain things before they fully understand,
right? They don't yet know that greater harm will come to them if they don't do
as they're told, at least not yet. It’s only after they grow older that they
finally see the wisdom in why we asked them to do it.
The Road to Emmaus was a
physical road in the Bible, but how many times do we forget to look and find
the face of Christ walking with us? With each step, God asks that we remember
we're not alone. He is always with us – in the faces of His children, in the
tasks of helping our neighbors, in the love for our families – in the lame man
at the Beautiful Gate. How often as we
serve do we remember to thank God for His presence, His guidance, His gifts
that allow us to help those in need? How often do we truly set aside the
busy-ness of our lives and acknowledge the Holy Spirit pervading every act,
every person, every situation that we often perceive as a problem or hindrance?
Find your own Road to Emmaus
and remember to not just hear, but to listen – for all that you need is already
there. And all that you can accomplish
is within your grasp, as you take that step in faith, and walk with Christ.
Take one step. It will lead to another, and another. Take a step in faith.
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