“While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them” – Luke 24:15
I’ve walked many a paths along my Road of Faith that weren’t ‘fun’, were scary or dark. I spent a decade fallen away from my Catholic faith. My sinful, God-denying life led me along a very lonely road which would have been so different if I ‘had Jesus.’ Even after I found Who Jesus is and pursued Him, I still ran at times – not letting go of the wheel and trying to steer myself.
Jesus is always walking with you. He never, ever leaves your side. But, it is in the times of struggle, challenge and darkness that Jesus steps up more actively.
Even though these two men didn’t recognize Jesus as they stressed, leaving Jerusalem, Jesus was very present with them. He was walking along the road with them, taking the time to open their hearts.
Having been in their spot I get it. When I was despondent, hopelessly walking along my road of faith through the darkness, Jesus was right with me. I didn’t know it, I didn’t ‘feel’ His presence or hear His voice. But, as with these two, He was with me. Jesus was whispering truth to me.
In time, my heart, lost in fear and worry, started to feel His presence. The Light started to break through the darkness. It was then that I started hearing the silence, and in that silence, I began to feel the emptiness. Emptiness of the lack of His presence, emptiness brought by the fear.
Suddenly, my ears opened. Suddenly, my heart began to come alive, to beat again.
Now, though i may at some time feel “it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over”, i trust in Jesus. I know Jesus and the Trinity not only have my back but are at my side, leading the way and guiding me along the Road of Faith I’m walking.
Do you ever feel the darkness of fears overwhelming you? Trust in Jesus and know that He is walking along at your side. Also, in the worst time as darkness approaches, Jesus is speaking to turn you around, bolster and empower you.
Then, like these two men, you’ll be ready to run out into the darkened night, heart afire and declaring “Jesus I trust in You.”