Walking With Jesus Unaware

October 14

(Luke 24:13-16 NIV) “Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. {14} They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. {15} As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; {16} but they were kept from recognizing him.”

(John 20:24-31 NIV) ““Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. {25} So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." {26} A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" {27} Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." {28} Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" {29} Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." {30} Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. {31} But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.””

When we reach the other side and know fully, we will be surprised at how many times Jesus walked beside us, and we were unaware. There are seasons of life when we are kept from recognizing His presence. In His sovereignty, God takes us through valleys where the sun is hidden and the darkness seems strong. In those times, faith must carry us through. He walks with us, even when we are unaware. We may ask, “How will I know when Jesus is walking with me?” That is the wrong question. We should be asking, “How will Jesus know when I am walking with Him?” We must get the focus off of our desire for awareness, and onto the desires of the Lord. He does not live to please us -- we live to please Him. We walk with Him when we put His words into practice and follow Him… even when we cannot see Him. “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day