Today’s scripture: Luke 24:13-27 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Robert Ferguson):
“Disappointed much?”
That’s what my snarky co-worker said to me as I was reacting to the loss of the Butler Bulldogs in the second round of the NCAA tournament. Anyone who knows me knows that I’m not really a basketball fan. I love football and when I do watch basketball it’s usually NBA.
ButI have to admit that small liberal arts college hidden on the near north side of my hometown always inspires hope in all us locals at tournament time. Around these parts we like rooting for the little guy, the underdog, the scrappy little team that just might win it all one day. No matter that Butler has made it to the final championship game twice in four years and has become a program to be reckoned with in the world of college hoops, for us locals, they will always embody the spirit of the little engine that could.
If you are anything like me, you have experienced times in life where you felt like the underdog. Outgunned, outmanned, and under prepared, sometimes it feels like life is out to get us. It is enough to make any of us lose hope. How can we win?
When I read the scripture for today I can imagine that the disciples on the road to Emmaus must have felt defeated. They had hope once. They believed that in spite of all that was going on in the world this Messiah would bring the victory for the people! But now the Messiah was dead and his crucified body was missing. Things looked bleak…bleak indeed.
But here just as in life when things are the darkest the disciples meet an unidentified stranger, someone who for all they knew could have been walking along the road with them the entire time. The stranger dismissed their worry and fears and replaced them with gentle reminders. Though things may look bleak right now God’s plan is still at work in our lives.
So listen up you underdogs facing the big old monster called life — God is rooting for you! Because of God’s grace and mercy we have been given a living hope that is ever present in our good times and trying times. In fact, during the most trying times, God is working the most.
So ask yourself, are you experiencing some trying circumstance that seems like you can’t win? If so, take some time to return to the accounts of Jesus’ death and resurrection. The reality is that God can and does work the most through situations that seem the most difficult to handle.
Thought for the day: What is God doing in your life right now?
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.