A few years ago, while attending a biblical training conference, it seemed as though one of the messages was aimed directly at me– so much so, in fact, that I scrunched down in my seat a bit from discomfort. God worked mightily in my life that week, and through the teaching of the scriptures, He refreshed my relationship with Him. Many people consider making resolutions for the New Year. Why not consider a resolution to refresh your walk with God in 2021? Luke 24:13-32 reveals the pathway that anyone can take.
In this story we notice two followers of Jesus walking to the village of Emmaus. They were discussing everything that had happened over the last few days, namely Jesus’s crucifixion, death, and resurrection. Then, Jesus came and began walking with them, but God did not allow them to recognize Him. He asked, “What are you discussing so intently?” They went into detail chronicling all the events of the past days. At this point, Jesus began to teach them all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures about the Messiah, the very things they had witnessed. When they were ending their journey, they ask Jesus to stay with them that night. As they sat down to eat, Jesus blessed the bread and broke it, and gave it to them. At that moment their eyes were opened, they recognized Him, and He disappeared! Now, notice what they said in verse 32, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the scriptures to us?”
What is it that makes your heart burn in this way? What gets you spiritually fired up? I am certain that recognizing the risen Lord was incredible, but notice what they said caused their hearts to burn. They said, “our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the scriptures to us” Their hearts burned because they saw scripture come alive as Jesus taught them.
A week in Florida can give you a nice suntan, but only if you get into the sunlight. It happens over a few days, and to keep your tan, you must continue to be in the sun. The sun does the work as we expose ourselves to it. If you want your heart to burn with passion for the Lord, you need to expose yourself to the Word of God over time. It does not happen in one day but over weeks, months, and even years. Think of it this way, it is your daily gaze that sets your heart ablaze! The consistent exposure over time has a lasting impact. You do not make yourself more like Christ. It is what God does in you as you expose yourself to the Word of God and allow the Holy Spirit to change you. Why not make it your resolution to refresh your walk with God in 2021? There are a few simple things you will need to do to prepare:
5 Steps to Refresh
- Commit to refresh your intimacy with God through intentional daily time in His Word and in prayer.
- Secure a devotional to help guide you. Word of Life has devotionals for every age.
- Prepare a place in your home that is as quiet as possible.
- Set a specific time and stick to it every day.
- Share a key thought daily with a Christian friend. This will help you focus on what you are reading.
John is the Director of Word of Life Youth Ministries. He and his wife Pam have served with Word of Life for over 33 years in several regions including Southern California and North East Pennsylvania. They currently live in upstate NY where John has been serving in his current role since November, 2014.