[5 Conversations With Christ] DiscouragementSample

Open eyes and personal trust change lives Luke tells us that when our two disciples arrived at Emmaus, Jesus broke bread and gave it to them. As a result, their eyes were opened, and they finally recognized Jesus. Jesus unpacked the whole Old Testament for them and brought clarity in the midst of confusion. We find a connection between breaking bread, eating it, and receiving spiritual sight. However, before Jesus started unraveling the Scriptures before their eyes, he had to confront the two disciples. He told them that they were foolish because they were slow to believe. Aren’t we all? Our mind is the problem; it is also the cause of our spiritual blindness. We have conformed our beliefs to this world; this is why we cannot recognize Jesus, even if He walks with us and talks to us. Isn’t it good that we have identified the cause of our blindness? Yes, it’s good, because now, we can stop taking the shape of this world. Now, we can understand how important it is to renew our minds, and be thus transformed. May our prayer be: “Lord, open my eyes”! May our declaration be: “Lord, I will trust You”! The disciples at Emmaus found a new purpose. They returned to Jerusalem with a mission. They went back to the other disciples to encourage them and fight their discouragement. They knew they couldn’t keep that journey to Emmaus to themselves. There is nothing like purpose and vision to rid us of discouragement. Without vision, my people perish! (Proverbs 29:18) Let me introduce to you three inseparable sisters: depression, grief, and loneliness. These, of course, always work hand in hand to oppress us. But acquiring new purpose through service will act as one of the best antidepressants you will ever find. I assure you that if you go out of your comfort zone and look for lost souls and for the sick and the homeless, you will certainly find encouragement. Others are probably going through desperate ordeals. Share your bread with the homeless and with those in need, and both they and you will find comfort and yes, new joy. We were all given a command, a commission by Jesus. Let’s seek lost souls. Let’s go out and share, as witnesses, what we have seen and heard.