My Emmaus Road

WOW! I really am speechless. Another mountaintop Emmaus weekend. God showed up to break chains, tear down walls, transform hearts and to add one more to the kingdom. Heaven was celebrating Saturday night after Hagg's talk. Christian action was the talk and some good friends were in the story that God used to reach one more. I was slightly JACKED UP!!! There are too many stories to tell. Many friendships and relationships were created and strengthened. God answered my prayer of adding a few more men to Tuesday night meetings. Some of these new guys are willing to drive over an hour to fellowship with other godly men. Amazing! Thank you Jesus.

As I have reflected back on what the Walk To Emmaus has meant to me over the past 4 years, I am overwhelmed. Three walks in four years. (2006, 2008, 2009) Every walk was experienced in a different house. There is so much symbolism in that fact. (This does make me slightly hesitant to be a part of another walk. I do not like to move!)

The first walk and the first house were new and exciting. I found Jesus when I was living in that house and I experienced Jesus in a whole new way on that first walk. It was new, fresh and exciting. I couldn't wait to see what was next and how God was going to lead and bless.

The second walk and the second house were much different. I still had great excitement for God and His work but I was in a different place spiritually and physically. I wasn't a table leader and I wasn't a pilgrim. I was in between. I wasn't in the home God gave me originally and I wasn't in the one He was preparing for me. I was in a place where God was molding and shaping me. He was placing a desire to lead in my heart but I had to wait until it was my time and my turn. He placed desires in my heart for a house and for ministry but again He calls me to wait on Him. I had to wait for God's timing, for God's plan. It was a time of testing in so many ways but primarily a testing of my faith. A testing of how deep my roots really were. A season of testing...not leading, not following- not settled, but not moving. Transforming. It was a very bittersweet season. It was difficult but I knew that something would be birthed from that time of difficulty, that time of testing and...waiting.

The third walk- the third house. It's different this time. I was a table leader and I am the spiritual leader of my home. God has taken me from the place I thought I loved to a place that I love more. I have been discipled and I have discipled others. God is calling and moving me into a new season. God is asking for more because He has given me more. I have trained to be proven faithful and true in the smaller things. Bigger things are on the horizon.

I have done my best to follow the model of Jesus and the twelve disciples. First Jesus called them to drop their nets and to follow Him. When He said come follow me I left it all and followed Him immediately. Secondly Jesus taught them, tested them and put them through trials. During my times of teaching, testing and trials I struggled but I have endured. I know and understand there are more of these times to come but the ones I have experienced have prepared me for the ones in the future. Finally He sent the disciples out to do ministry. It was their time to continue His work. He wants me to participate in His work. I am being sent out to minister to others, to share the gospel, and to grow others in Christ. I am a disciple of Christ. Not for what I have done but for what He has done in me.

As I listen for His continued call I know I can't do it in my own strength or with my own abilities. If I step outside His power I will fail. I love being in these situations. I now must continue moving forward, listening for that still small voice. It is His voice I long to hear. It is His affirmation I long to hear. It is His confirming words I long to hear. My own desires mislead me. Others opinions should not concern me. It is His voice I want to hear and obey. It is His direction I want to follow. Speak to me Lord. Amplify your voice. When I hear your voice I will run to you knowing that is exactly where I am to be and exactly what I am to be doing. Use me Lord.