This is the time of year when invitations are being extended to go to Emmaus. Explanations are being given. Pilgrims are being enrolled. It’s not an easy thing to say, “Yes, I believe I’ll go on the Walk to Emmaus.” Why is it so difficult?
I believe it is difficult because it requires a step of faith. It requires us to move from a place of comfort to a place of discomfort. From a place where we know what is expected to a place where we don’t know what is expected. From a place we have seen to a place we have not seen.
I believe that sometimes God calls us to move physically from one place to another. Over the course of my ministry I’ve moved from Piedmont to Norman, Stroud, Tuttle, Healdton, and now Ardmore. Every move was filled with adventure—high expectations, hopes and dreams, but also doubts, misgivings and second guessing. Every move wound up being filled with grace-filled opportunities. And, I grew! But moving (or saying that I was ready to move) required a step of faith.
Our spiritual father Abraham, we are told, left Ur in the Chaldees at God’s urging for a place that God would show him. And, like may prospective Emmaus pilgrims, he wasn’t told a lot of what to expect. But he was ready. He took that first step. And he made headline news in the Bible.
Sometimes God calls us to move from one place to another in our journey faith. It doesn’t require a physical move. But it does require that we step out on faith—Like taking or teaching a Bible study, going on a mission, leading a youth group, starting a daily devotional, being accountable to a reunion group or to some other small group, giving a talk, serving on a Walk, or sponsoring a pilgrim.
To step out of faith is sometimes a very scary thing. Think of the time when you said, “Yes, I’ll go to Emmaus.” Maybe you were not scared or even a little nervous. But most are. Most don’t like to exit comfort zones. Most don’t feel drawn to X the unknown. Think of one of the above “journey steps” that God may be calling you to or to perhaps another “journey step” that you feel like God may be calling you to. Uncomfortable, right!
Take the time to invite someone on the next Walk to Emmaus. Realize that it may be the most difficult “journey step” that your friend or family member or fellow church member may have had to take. They may not relish X the unknown. So, hold their hands, take an hour or so, share every part of what is an Emmaus weekend, and then share how God touched you on your weekend. More often than not, they’ll want to go with you, because they want that same touch of God on their lives.
I’ll pray for you as you take your next “journey step’ and as you help others take their next ‘journey step’.
De Colores,
Dan Patman
Cross Point Walk to Emmaus #1
Table of Mark
