Road to Emmaus

The stack of books sits on the desk.  In turn I read chapters from each one.  I read them slowly trying to take in their meaning.  Seeking to more deeply understand Jesus journey to the cross, through the cross, to the tomb, through the tomb, His death, and His life.  I linger over certain phrases and paragraphs. 
I read With Burning Hearts by Henri J.M. Nouwen.  He writes about two travelers as they experience Jesus on the road to Emmaus…

“Of all the words the stranger had spoken, there was one that stands out in the travelers’ mind: “Glory".”  “Was it not necessary,” he had said, “that the Christ should suffer before entering into his glory?”  Their hearts and minds were still so full of the images of death and destruction.  And now here was that word “Glory.”  It didn’t seem to fit, and still, spoken by this stranger, it sets their hears on fire and makes them see what they had not been able to see before.  It was as if they had seen only the manure that covered the soil, but never the fruits on the trees that had sprung from it.  Glory, light, splendor, beauty, truth – they all seemed so unreal and unreachable!  But now there were new sounds in the air and new colors in the fields.”

I think about God naming the year 2010 “Grace and Glory” and now in 2011 He gives the word “Consume” with the image of fire.  When the world is shaking.  When there are setbacks and the rain won’t stop falling.  When children won’t listen and they argue too much.  When this mom2six is distracted and can’t put thoughts together.  Christ came and suffered to bring His glory.  God’s grace comes and fills everything, His glory shines bright.  

Father, how I want to be consumed by your grace and glory.   Thank you for continuing with me when my focus becomes the “manure that covered the soil.”  Thank you that when I become consumed with seeking you, you are always there to be found.  Jesus, come and stay with me.  I open my heart for you to walk through day in and day out.  Let my heart be your resting place.