Eyes Wide Open

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him..." ~ Luke 24:30-31 (NIV)

My previous blog entry was about 10 hours before Send-Off for Highlands Emmaus Women’s Walk #37. Now, in the blink of an eye, it’s been two weeks since Closing, and I’m just getting around to winding up this Journey to Emmaus.

As usual, it’s taken some time to catch up on my sleep, some time to dive back into my Fourth Days, and some time to process my thoughts. And God has also taken some time of His own to speak to me about the journey, for which I’m grateful. To serve as Lay Director was a precious and timely gift, one that has left me humbled, thankful, and almost as overwhelmed as I was when I began the journey last December.

I went on my own Walk to Emmaus 13 years ago and it has been my joy to have served on several teams over the years since then. But in many ways, serving as Lay Director for this walk has been an experience unlike any other for me. For one thing, there was much more up-front work to be done, and God had to do a lot of polishing on my limited administrative skills during the months leading up to the walk. Also, when I arrived at Emory Wednesday night before the walk to set up for the weekend I immediately noticed that I was a magnet for everyone’s questions, and I could only wish I had all of the right answers! Fortunately, even though I didn’t know it all, I had an amazing conference room team and an equally brilliant background team supporting me. And let me say for the record right now, I couldn’t have done anything without them! I dearly love each and every one of my Emmaus brothers and sisters who were involved in any way, shape, or form.

Once the weekend commenced, I had a great deal more reading to do than I have in the past. I was especially nervous about the Lay Director’s spiel on Thursday night, because I remember how I felt when I found out on my walk that I had to give up my watch, my phone, and my extensive language skills! But our pilgrims were gracious and apparently didn’t pack tomatoes to throw (or snack on), so we got off to a good start. After that, I told someone it was like a car at the top of a steep hill: I just gave it a push and jumped in the passenger seat as it started down the slope!

While this walk was especially poignant and, in many ways, unique for me, in other ways it was like every walk (the best walk ever!). We all know the Emmaus weekend is structured to be consistent. No matter where or when you walk, the schedule of events, the talks, the worship services – all are designed that we can share a common experience as the Body of Christ, both with each other and with the pilgrims to come. The Walk to Emmaus is a great equalizer.

But we can also count on God showing up for every Emmaus Walk, and this weekend was no exception. I saw Him everywhere…

in the shining faces of the community serving us.
in the tears washed away by our Dying Moments.
in the bread and juice on the altar.

I heard Him…

in the silence Thursday night.
in the laughter at Entertainment.
in the sacred music woven throughout the weekend.

And I felt Him…

in the sweet peace of the Prayer Room.
in every hug at Crossing.
in every testimony given at Closing.

It’s funny…I’ve heard all 15 talks countless times, but God always uses them to speak to me anew on every walk, and this one was no exception. Kim’s Fourth Day talk, in particular, stirred my heart and imagination:

“Lives will be changed through fresh encounters with the risen Savior…This Walk is not primarily for you, but for your families, friends, church, co-workers, and people you haven’t even met yet.”

“You don’t have to be like the world to have an impact on the world…Live simply, and let God be God.”

When I imagine the ripple effects of every Emmaus Walk weekend, it simply takes my breath away. Fourth Days aren’t always easy, but whatever we experience in our three-day Emmaus event is possible to experience in our Fourth Day. The treasure of The Walk to Emmaus movement – life in grace – is ours to have. And while this weekend is over, the journey to Emmaus never really ends for those who continue on in their Fourth Days.

Here’s to life in grace!

Love and DeColores,
Susan

Countdown

Ten short hours and we’ll be off and running! To be accurate, we’ll be walking to Emmaus, but the time there will fly by and before we know it we’ll be home again, poured out and filled up to overflowing again on Highland Emmaus Community’s 37th Women’s Walk.

Last weekend, serving on the background for the Men’s Walk, the two questions I heard the most were, “Are you ready?” and “Are you nervous?” My answers then were no and no again, but I’m almost ready now. I’ve packed my bags (and a few boxes of “just in case” items) and we’re set up on the campus of Emory & Henry. My talk is tweaked, my agape letters written, my covered dish cooked.

But more than all of that, I’m ready to see what God will do in the lives of the women He sends this weekend. I’m ready for him to show up in a BIG way! And I’m ready to bask in His presence for 72 hours without the everyday interruptions of the real world.

Bless his heart, my friend Rick G. asked me a different question at Emory last night: “Are you EXCITED?” he asked, practically vibrating with his own excitement. I had to tell him that, even though I am very excited, I am a pretty laid back girl and the casual observer may not see my enthusiasm on the surface.

My heart is also very tender for the pilgrims who will come, as well as for my team. The devil has been hitting all of us hard this past week with his full arsenal of ammunition. But my confidence (and yes Rick, my excitement) comes from knowing that our God is bigger by far than Satan, and this weekend is HIS. He is in control, and Satan has no place among us. God will work His mighty miracles and lives will be forever changed, and if that doesn’t cause the hairs to stand up on your arms in anticipation, you need to get excited!

To God be the glory for all He has done and all he has yet to do on this Walk to Emmaus.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. ~ Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)

DeColores!