Do You Recognize God
Jesus had risen & the tomb was empty! The women (Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, & several other women v.10) had been to the tomb early that morning, found it empty, & seen the two angels that told them Jesus had risen from the dead! They rushed to tell the 11 disciples the good news!! Of course, they didn't believe them, pretty much laughed at them & gave no credit (truth) to any of what they had said.
However; a bit later that day, 2 of Jesus' followers were walking to a village called, Emmaus. As you & I well know "talk" gets around very quickly in small (as well as medium & large) communities!! These two fellas were discussing this recent gossip of Jesus having an empty tomb & being risen from the dead. I willingly admit that when anything happens in the small area I live in , I am usually talking about it with others! These two were apparently deep into this story & what they had heard because Jesus suddenly began walking with them along the way! How many times have you been discussing the recent news about someone in your community (or family) & after a bit realize that someone else has joined your discussion? ("oh, goodness, girl! I didn't even know you had come up!"). I certainly have! These two fellas were so deep into the latest "gossip" they didn't even see Jesus begin walking with them! They had no idea of when He joined them at all!!
Perhaps, you & I find ourselves in this same situation as we are walking through our lives each day. We are so busy with the task at hand that we don't even realize Jesus is walking with us. Maybe, you're so stressed desperately trying to figure out how you're going to pay this bill or that bill; or you're looking at the empty refrigerator & pantry shelves asking God how in the world are you going to feed the kids tonight & the day after that when there is no food. Possibly, you are actually running around to discuss all the "recent news" you've heard so that others can be informed @ you can see if anyone knows something more about it. Whatever our reasons are, have you noticed that Jesus is walking with you? Are you so intent on what you are doing that you don't even recognize the Lord as He walks & talks with you?
At one point in my life, I would have answered that question by saying, "How in the world can anyone not realize that Jesus is walking with them? It's just impossible to not know He's there, much less to not hear that it is the voice of my Lord & Savior speaking to me??? No, that just can't happen. You'd have to be pretty dumb to not recognize Jesus or hear His voice!".
That was definitely the words of a very young Christian who had not yet lived through much of life. At 51, I know & understand all to well how easy it is for us to be living each day, hurrying along in this fast paced world, & totally MISS seeing Jesus walking with us as well as miss the things He is saying to us!
I have to consciously remind myself all through each day to look for Jesus because I know He's right there & it would be so easy to miss His beauty if I allow myself to get caught up in what I "have to" do, "need to" do or I'm so busy rushing here to there it getting caught up with the latest "news"!! There are many, many different "things" that I can allow to blind my eyes. If I'm not careful, I will find myself in a daily pattern of being unable to see Jesus walking beside me each & every day!! Seeing Him & knowing His presence in your life is up to you & me. I have to see Him in the beauty of the blue sky, the birds singing a wonderful song, green grass, the smell of fresh air......we just need to open our eyes!
In the same manner, I have to "listen" & be aware of God's Voice to hear Him. He speaks to us in so many different ways each & every day! At times, God has spoken to me through the license tag on a car in front of me, or someone saying something that The Lord has put on your heart lately & they have no idea their words are actually God speaking to you to confirm what He had previously put on your heart!! God's Word is where we need to be ,daily, for He always speaks to us there! We have to be aware of His presence & voice. Don't walk through each day so wrapped up in what "is going on" that you don't recognize or hear Jesus. He loves you so much more than you could ever understand! He wants to walk closely with you & talk to you all through each day!!
Will you recognize Jesus today, when He is walking with you? Will you hear His voice when He speaks?
Lord, slow me down & open my eyes that I might recognize You all through the day! Let my ears hear Your voice when You speak so that we can talk & enjoy the day together! In Jesus Name, Amen
Created 8 months ago
