The God StorySample

Burning Hearts

Father God, what I know of You will only ever be a fraction of who You are. Jesus, open my mind to see You and understand the Scriptures. Spirit, move my heart from familiar to fascinated until it is ablaze with Your unfailing love.

Read: Psalm 119:40-41

Today I’m reflecting once again on Jesus’ resurrection, three days after His suffering and crucifixion. Two hopeless travellers, walking down a dusty road of disappointment, are suddenly joined by a curious stranger who draws out their pain and perspective with patient questions and attentive listening. They are unable to recognise the one walking with them…

Read: Luke 24:25-32

Jesus revealed Himself in the Scriptures to these two disappointed disciples. He shared the story in a way they had never heard! When I first read these verses, it captured my imagination. I’ve spent my entire adult life searching out the story Jesus unfolded. How did Jesus bring these familiar Scriptures to life, what story did He tell on that road? How did he move hopeless hearts to burning ones?

Jesus, reveal Yourself to me from all of Scripture. Open my eyes to Your unsearchable riches all the days of my life. Move me from familiar to increasingly fascinated. Bring to mind a particular passage of Scripture through which You want to reveal yourself today.

Pause and pray

Is there someone I know who is walking down the dusty road of disappointment?

Jesus, walk with them today, meet them personally with the healing and hope that Your story holds.

Pause and pray

I find it stunning that these two hopeless travellers suddenly find themselves running out into the night, hearts burning with the God story, and resurrection life in their veins. I live in a culture that is quickly losing trust in every overarching narrative, disappointed and desperate for hope. I believe we are waiting for a story that both eclipses and includes us, restores meaning to our lives, for an encounter with the unfailing love we long for.

Jesus, I yield the disappointment in my story to Your redemptive story, to be written into Your eternal purpose, to carry and embody the love and burning hope You have for all peoples.

Amen.