Recognizing Jesus - Part II

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   In Luke 24 we meet two disciples who are walking to a village called Emmaus, which the bible tells us is about 7 miles outside of Jerusalem.  They were talking to each other about all that had happened recently surrounding Jesus; namely His arrest, His death and resurrection.  In verse 15, it says that while they were discussing, "Jesus Himself drew near and went with them.  But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him."  What an amazing verse!  I just can't stop thinking about this scene lately.  Picture it and put yourself there ... you're walking along and Jesus just shows up!  And the crazy thing is that they missed it.  The person that they are talking about is walking with them. 
   I have to admit that the thought crossed my mind that if I was there, I would never have missed out on this encounter.  Come on fellas ... wake up here.  The very guy you are talking about is behind you.  And then I realize ... how many times have I been guilty of missing Jesus around me everyday?  Oh it may not be in the form of a physical Jesus walking with me, but I know that God is at work around all of us everyday and He said He will be with us ALWAYS.  However, the reason we miss Him is usually the same ... we're not looking for Him.  We, like these two disciples, are so distracted by everyday life and the issues surrounding us, that we forget to look for the "super in the natural." 
   I often wonder if when I stand before the Lord I'll see all the opportunities the Lord placed before me to see and join Him in what He was doing around me.  I can be so distracted by temporal things that I miss eternal things.  So distracted by performance that I miss the joy of divine encounters and relationships.  So I find myself back at my "word" for 2012 ... INTENTIONAL!  I want to be intentional about looking for Jesus moving around me.  I once heard that we don't have to manufacture God moments ... just look out for what He is doing around you and join Him.  So that's my prayer.  Do we still have responsibilities and tasks to perform?  Sure!  But along the way, my goal is to not get so distracted by things around me and miss the relationships that the Lord brings to me.  Here we go!
To be continued ...

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