Monday, October 5, 2009

The Journey Home


Luke 24:32

And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?


I remember as a child living in north central Texas, my brothers, sisters and I looked forward to summer vacation. One summer was particularly exciting to us; it was the summer we went to see our grandparents. You have to understand, we hadn’t seen them for more than four years.

The day had finally arrived for us to start our journey east. It would be a long and exhaustive trip traveling from Texas to North Carolina. One filled with excitement, restless moments, urgent bathroom breaks, and five kids cramped for space. One question that kept popping up amongst us kids was, “Are we there yet?” I think that must be a universal question that has been passed down from generation to generation.

This particular trip seemed to be more challenging than others we had taken. Along the way we experienced car troubles, my sister got sick, and all of us got a spanking at one time or another. But in the end it was worth it all to see the ones we love so dearly while spending time together with them.

As a child of God talking of our heavenly home stirs our emotions, brings about a feeling of excitement, and great anticipation. Some of the exciting moments in ones life on this journey home can be the salvation of a loved one or friend. It could be the announcement of the calling of God on your life. The union of a man and woman as husband and wife brought together by God. It could be the birth of a child who was given no hope of survival, but became possible by the intervention of a loving Lord. It could be the answer to a long awaited prayer.

The journey home can also be filled with pot holes, bad curves, drop-offs, and unexpected delays. Things like life-long sickness, untimely deaths, divorce, job loss, spiritual disappointments, and the feeling of failure. The trials we face while on our journey home can make us feel like throwing in the towel and giving up. We’ve all experienced it at one time or another in our life.

The two on the road to Emmaus experienced defeat after the one they expected to deliver Israel had been killed. They had given up, thrown in the towel, called it quits and were even discussing it on their way back when Jesus showed up. The burning presence of Christ started filling their hearts. Despair and doubt started to flee. A newness of life started filling their souls, giving them great comfort and hope, a new outlook on life and their journey home.

As a child of God, when the journey home feels hopeless and it seems there’s no help in sight, just remember Jesus is with us on our journey home.


By Louis Edwards

1 comments:

Unknown said...

Nice devotional. I've certainly experienced a ride like that, both as a kid, and as a Dad porting the next generation back to the old family reunion a thousand miles away.

There's family I long to see when we get home too, and the One who died for me. :-)