Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.
He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”
(Luke 24: 13-17)
I wonder how these men felt when the apparent stranger first approached them and interrupted their conversation. Did they welcome the intrusion at first, or was it an annoyance? He appears out of nowhere and walks alongside them uninvited. Yet there must have been something about his presence, and what he said, which warmed their hearts. In fact, they later admit (v32),”Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road?”
I have found myself pondering the interruptions allowed by God particularly when I have quiet times with him. I can set myself up for a religious scenario: awake at 6am, get a strong coffee, sit at the phone desk in our hallway and pick up my Bible and start reading (through the Psalms at the moment). And then I know I must bring my ‘list’ to God. Praying for people and things – nothing wrong with that. We are meant to bring our requests to him although he knows our needs.
However, there has been something of a grace drum beating in the background and pointing me to a deeper level. The other day, as I was sitting and preparing for my little quiet time rituals, my son appeared out of nowhere despite the early hour, and sat down on my lap. I couldn’t see the Bible clearly (he’s not small!) let alone start praying as I intended. We just sat there quietly, him on my lap still waking up and I put my arms gently around him. He just wanted to be with his father.
God – I believe – allowed the interruption to remind me that he wanted me to prioritise simply being with him. Nothing is more sacred than simply seeking his face. As Psalm 27 says, we are called firstly and foremost to “gaze on the beauty of the Lord.” Meaning to sit quietly on his lap and be reassured by the sense of his arms around us. Yes, there are prayer lists and suchlike, but just being with Dad is what matters. We have the same opportunity as those two disciples did on the Road to Emmaus, to spend time with our Lord and rejoice in the sense of our hearts burning as He communicates with us in his small, quiet and reassuring voice.
I tried to write down my thoughts on interruptions in a poem, “How the day intrudes” a few years ago when my children were younger.
How the day intrudes
I sit in the place where I want to be - with you, Lord.
Resting in the glow of your beautiful presence.
Spending time with my Father who is in heaven
Hallowing your name and listening to your word
Confessing myself and appreciating your grace.
Then the day intrudes. A door bangs open with noise
One of my lovely children appears, looking for toys
Or asking for bacon n’ eggs, or showing drawings
How I love and see you in them as they run for joy
And laugh and plan fun. Family antics set the mood.
And later on, in the midst of bustle and business,
Phone calls, lunch times, seemingly important
Busy things - I miss you, Lord. I feel lost wanting
To return to that resting place with you again. But
You understand and walk with us through each day.
Not just the quietness of the morn but in it all
You, your Holy Spirit, smile and wait patiently
For me to surrender brief moments to you
As I learn the kingdom of God and soulfully yearn
For my family’s home, eternally with you
- Grace and love in equal measure.
O how the day intrudes - but your love is our banner.
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