Stay with us a while

As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. Luke 24:28-29

I don't know about you, but at times I find myself uncomfortable with the messiness of life. This is true of relationships with other people, and it is especially true of my relationship with God. I have a high appreciation for order, reverence, process, and clarity. However, when I read the well-known story of Jesus and the disciples on the road to Emmaus, it shakes up my preference for neat and tidy spirituality. The road to Emmaus is a story of messy faith. Jesus enters into a very raw and vulnerable space, and heals people who are filled with doubts and confusion and aren’t even clear on who He is.

It’s easy to miss this fact. We assume by this point in the story they know that it is Jesus walking with them, but that clarity doesn’t come until they share a meal together. Yet even in their confusion, their hearts begin to burn within them, they are coming alive as they spend time with this man, so they “urge him strongly” to stay. I wonder what it might look like for us to urge Jesus to stay with us a little while, even when we lack clarity?

You do not have to have all your questions answered in order to have a meaningful encounter with the Lord. Rather than being troubled by this fact, I’m learning more and more to embrace it and receive it as a gift. When I see the truth in this, it frees me to have and give grace to others, and grace for myself. It is liberating to realize that I don’t have to have it all figured out in order to follow Jesus. In fact, if I’m honest, my heart is often filled with doubts, and uncertainties, and if I wait until they are all gone, I may never actually know the joy of being with Jesus, and experiencing His power, provision, and hand in my life.

Can you be so bold as to invite Jesus into the unruly and uncertain parts of your life? Undoubtedly, you are more aware of these than ever before. Over the past few weeks and months, you’ve likely had to confront your own failure to trust God with your present and your future. You’ve failed to love your spouse, kids, or close friends the way they long to be loved. Maybe you’re wrestling with a general sense of shame and guilt, wondering why you’re not as productive and fruitful as you want to be?

Whatever your struggle may be, it is easy to say “Jesus wants nothing to do with me until I can sort this thing out.” Yet here’s the problem with that line of thinking: Jesus is the only way you’re going to sort it out, so to exclude him from the problem is to remove any hope for a solution! Jesus enters into the messiness of our lives and speaks peace and freedom. And so, like these first disciples, today we boldly pray, “Stay with us a little while”