Each day we wake up to the profound thoughts of the many things we hope to accomplish in a day, week, month, and life. The long list of to-dos, the random act of kindness that came to mind yesterday, the glorious thought of having lunch with a friend, making that chicken pie recipe a friend shared, listening to a favorite podcast on the drive to work, the beach vacation you want to plan, and the tickets you want to purchase for that upcoming concert. These are the things that reel in your mind as you embark to the coffee pot for your first morning jolt of energy. As you sip your coffee, taking in the morning sun beaming through your windows, your phone rings. On the other end are words that divert your thoughts to an emergency happening with someone in crisis. In a split second your day shifts to something new, something unknown, something that is filled with sorrow and grief. The day is not what you hoped for. Instead, the joy filled day you imagined is zapped in a moment. What you had hoped for is now gone.
In Luke 24, two men walk the road toward Emmaus after Jesus’s resurrection, a third man joins them, asking what they were talking about. They explained they were talking about Jesus who died and who they had hoped was the Messiah. “We had hoped.” The two men were disappointed that the once claimed Messiah was gone. They had hopes of what had been proclaimed to come but now was gone. These words, “We had hoped” speak to each of us. Author Sarah Bessey writes in her book, Field Notes in the wilderness, that we often experience grief and anger, “but there is also disappointment, there is our thwarted hope.” Disappointment is a part of our reality. We all have dreams. So many of us thought we would live a happy life, a fulfilled life, a job we loved, a home, children, a happy marriage, a life full of travel and adventures, and so on. We had hoped… “The two men on the road to Emmaus… well, they might as well be you and me.”
It is not until the stranger breaks bread with them that their eyes are opened and they realize that they had been walking and talking with Jesus. No matter where you find yourself in your day or life right now. I encourage you to hang on to hope. Because hope is present and we all are on the road walking toward Emmaus. And when we least expect it our eyes will be open to the presence of Jesus with us, walking us along this road of life.
It is in the mundane and ordinary moments of life when Jesus shows up and reveals to us the beauty of his presence… the tenderness of touch, the sweet arms that embrace you when you need it most, the fresh breeze of wind that sweeps across your face, the card that shows up in the mail with words of encouragement, the prayer that is offered in service that are lyrics to your soul, or the silent presence of friends and family. These are the moments we may not hope for, but where we can experience the greatest hope of all.
Keep walking today knowing Hope is with you, ready to reveal Himself.
Rev. Monica Childers
National Team Leader
thecaringcongregation.com
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