72 Hours - What was I thinking?

I’ve experienced my own and worked on many since April of 1993. For some people, they surrender when they finally say “Yes” to the coaxing from their friends and sign the application. They have surrendered already and say “Yes, Lord, I trust you” before Thursday afternoon rolls around.

Than others will raise the white flag on Saturday before lunch, maybe Saturday evening as the emotional filled day and evening comes to a close. Because when we surrender to God, that’s the time we start to grow in knowing how he wants us to be like Jesus; leading us to make a difference in the world around us. Having us reflect on what’s important in life, priorities. Taking time to learn about Him and the world and people we come face to face with each day, growth through study, changing our world and being part of priesthood. And putting it all together and fellowshipping with like believers as the body of Christ. But that can only happen when we surrender and utter, “Not my will but Yours O God.”

I’ve also been present enough to witness those who come close but for whatever reason, just can’t seem to let go. Because something in our humanness makes it difficult to give in, to say “If I don’t trust in myself, what am I, who am I? What will others think?” We live in a world, where it is expected to take care of your own business and do it with success. We’ve seen and heard what happens when you fail, when you have to rely on others for assistance. They are pitied, and some, depending on how bad they fail, will be scorned, by non-Christians and believe it or not Christians too. I’ve seen it, I’ve heard it. So surrendering, saying “I can’t do this by myself any longer, Lord. Show me the way”, is a hugh step. I’ve seen some leave after the seventy-two hours still holding on to “I can take care of it myself” thoughts.

To me, the Walk to Emmaus is how the church should be, how the world should be. For 72 hours, if we allow ourselves, completely trust God and those who led us to this place and do what the leaders ask. It’s actually almost like a short vacation, not having to worry about making decisions and all the things that distract us from having our communion with God. But we’re not made to stay in that moment. There is work to do; on ourselves and in the world.