30 After he took his seat at the table with them, he took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he disappeared from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts on fire when he spoke to us along the road and when he explained the scriptures for us?”
Reflection
Today’s devotion asks us, “what lights your soul on fire, what are you passionate about?” These are great questions to ponder and pray over as we discern our call to follow Jesus. And these questions lead us on a life time of seeking and growing on the discipleship journey as we work together in the Kin-dom. Our passion to serve God and follow Jesus is our greatest
joy as we live out the calling God has placed on our lives. When we serve others using our spiritual gifts and talents, and share the love of God so that others may know God’s grace and love through Jesus, this transforms the lives of others, and our own through the power of the Holy Spirit. Theologian and writer Frederick Buechner said ”the place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” (Wishful Thinking: A
Seeker’s ABC)
Today’s scripture tells us about an experience where two followers of Jesus met a man on the road to Emmaus. While they journeyed to Jerusalem, he explained to them all the things that the Prophets and the Scriptures said concerning Jesus. This was the risen Jesus whom they didn’t recognize, until Jesus sat at the table with them, prayed and broke the bread. Then
When they realized it was Jesus who spoke to them on their journey and caused their hearts burned with in them, and they were filled with joy. They hurried to tell others of their experience of the risen Christ.
When I think about my own discipleship journey, and what lights my heart on fire, I admit I’m passionate about creating opportunities for people to connect with God and each other. And God has put so many people who are also passionate about serving God through our church.
Some are passionate about planting and tending the organic Peace Garden, or using the harvested vegetables to make Soul Soup and bread for the hungry at Cookstown UMC. Some are passionate about Spiritual Arts, and share the gift of painting, so others can connect with God through painting and scripture. Some make prayer shawls for those who are sick, lonely
or bereaved, or for newly baptized children. Some lead or attend small group studies, lead spiritual retreats, walk labyrinths, or perform in our Live Nativity. And some are Eucharistic ministers who extend the communion table to those unable to attend congregational worship, by bringing communion to them in their homes, rehabs, assisted livings and hospitals. All of these disciples are passionate about serving God and showing Christ’s love.
by Jeneene Reduker
For Pondering and Prayer
So, ask yourself, “What lights your soul on fire, what is your passion?” Are you working in your passion and using your spiritual gifts to serve God? How is God calling you to serve in this season?
Prayer: Holy and Loving God, light our hearts and souls on fire so that we can share your love with others. Open our eyes to see the brokenness in the world that we may see Christ in others, to better serve you. Amen.
