God is with Us

“Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him.”

Luke 24:15b-16

We learn our personal history and about the people who helped form it by sitting around talking and listening to family and friends. My grandparents all lived very close to us when I was a child and I spent many hours in their company. I well remember times (yes, before we had a television) when we would all get together. I loved it when my grandfather told us stories. When he wasn’t working in the bank, he was a timekeeper for land speed records on the sands in Wales and he would regale us with all the excitement of those days.

In the telling and hearing of our stories we are entertained and we gain an awareness of where we have come from, who we are and who we are supposed to become. We receive clues about where we fit into our community and society in general. Our elders recite our history for us to pass along what they have learned, from their elders and from their own experiences. Some stories puzzle us; some stories frighten us. And, of course, there is the “big fish that got away” story just to add excitement.

In the account of events on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24: 13-35), Jesus revealed Himself to strangers. So, when might we know how God is revealed to us? How do we know when God has walked with us or is talking to us? When we are out walking, attending church and sitting with family and friends, or in our hospitality to strangers? Because we may not recognize Him does not mean that He is not present.

The risen Lord IS with us on our journey.

He IS with us during the good periods of life … when we celebrate.

He IS with us in our darkest moments … when we grieve.

We need to open our eyes to see and recognize that He is with us. Be assured, we are not alone as God walks with us on the road.