Twice a month, I lead a spiritual talk at the local Long Term Care Centre. Studying for those sessions and talking to and with the people gives me insight into how people cope with living in a long-term care facility. Some are unhappy, others are depressed, while others are happy and do quite well. Most of their attitude depends on their physical and mental situation. In the private discussions that I sometimes have with those who attend, I get to hear a great deal about how they think about their situation.
Some years ago, a lady, who was a good friend through the church already, told me that she was very unhappy being in the Centre. She had wanted to stay in her own home, but she just could not handle it any more. Her husband was in the Centre as well. He was happy; she was not. During one of our private discussions, she told me, "Every morning, first thing, I ask Jesus to walk with me." She told me that without the assurance that He was walking with her, she would not have been able to carry on.
I heard on the news one day that a great number of people suffer from some kind of depression. It seems to be a very common affliction. I'm sure that we all go through periods when we just don't feel enthused about things or events in our own personal lives, and it really helps to know that Jesus will walk with us.
On the third day after the crucifixion of Jesus, two men, downright depressed, were walking home to Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem.
Luke 24:15b-24 – 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?" They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?" "What things?" he asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see." (NIV)
After some considerable discussion, they reached their house and asked the stranger to join them for a meal, at which time, their eyes were opened and they recognized Jesus.
Jesus had been walking with them the whole time, and so it is with us. The risen Lord can and will give us the strength to carry on. We have the assurance that every step of the way, He walks with us.
Prayer: Our Father in heaven, we thank You for the risen Lord who walks with us as we walk along the road of life. We pray that every day, we will always be aware of this very truth. We ask it in Jesus' name. Amen.
Joel Jongkind
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