Recognizing God?

Now that same day two of the disciples were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. - Luke 24:13-16

That first Easter is like just about every day before and after - God is walking nearby but we’re unaware. Later in this same story, after Jesus helps these two see who he is, these followers “asked each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’ “ And that’s us - our hearts burning, aching to connect with the God who is near, often suspecting that God is close but not quite getting over the hump to recognize God.

Can you take a moment even now to reflect on your last 24 hours. Ask yourself where your heart was burning within you and give words to where you caught glimpses of God’s goodness and provision. It could be something simple like a meal (it actually at the meal when these two followers finally recognized Jesus). It could be a conversation you had. It could be something from the worship service yesterday or some new hope you awoke with this morning.

Pay attention to these things. Acknowledge where God is showing up - with a a word of thanksgiving or praise. And if you are unable to perceive where God is, then express that as a lament, a cry of pain to God.