Why is it over? Why did they hurt me? Why do I feel this way? Why am I so broken? Where is everyone when I need them most? Why so much pain?
These are just a few of the questions I have asked God, questions that I wanted answers to when I was hurting, beaten up, abused psychologically, mistreated emotionally, exhausted physically, and drained spiritually. If I could get clarity on why…I could carry it further. If I understood why, I could forgive quicker. If I knew why, I could let go easier.
I struggled with all these unanswered questions. And one day, I laid it all out before Him. And when I did, God showed me something hidden in the Bible; a gem of understanding that has the answer to every question I had and many additional questions we have about past experiences and the ones we STILL face. Let’s jump right in:
Luke 24:29-31 But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. 30And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. 31And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.
After the death and resurrection of Jesus, two of his disciples took a 7-mile journey downhill, having a defeated and depressing conversation about all that had transpired because they didn’t believe Jesus was risen. Along the way Jesus began to walk with them and talk with them, but they didn’t recognize that Jesus was Jesus. Once they reached their destination, as Jesus prepared to part ways, they urged him to stay with them. Even though they had just travelled 7 miles with Him, Jesus came into the house as they requested.
1. Recognize that you’re never alone.
It works out that 36,960 feet is equal to 7 miles. These men walked 7 miles in the blistering heat, defeated, depressed, and overwhelmed by what had transpired. They spent the whole time talking to Jesus, never knowing it was Him. When you think you have been defeated, depressed, and overwhelmed by the events of your life…whether you realize it or not, Jesus has been with you the whole time.
He was walking with you, and talking to you; you just had no clue it was Jesus. You weren’t alone! You may have been depressed, but you weren’t alone! You may have been defeated, but never alone! You may not have understood, and walked away…but you were never alone!
Jesus didn’t just see the men to their destination, He went into their home with them! In other words, Jesus doesn’t care where the issues of life take you, He is willing to go where you go!
Matthew 28:20 …and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
You are never alone!
2. Stop resisting change.
Jesus entered their house as a guest and a guest is to be served. But not Him. He went into the house a s a guest, changing everything. Jesus took the bread, blessed the bread, and broke the bread.
3. We often resist major actions in our own lives.
He took the bread, not as a guest, but as a host. When God changed things, He moved from guest to host. He changed His position in order to be able to take charge in the areas you need Him most. He wants to take the lead. When you stop resisting that change, His position in your home will change. His position in your life will change. His position in your job will change. And every place you find a need, He will take charge of it!
Once He is in the right position, Jesus can bless the bread. Before I feed my children, I tell them to bless their food (say “Grace”). So, Jesus will give you grace when He is put in the right position. Our resistance comes because we don’t want grace to endure a struggle, we want God to bring us out immediately! Don’t snatch the bread from Him, let Jesus be the host because His grace is sufficient! Sufficient to keep you out of trouble. Sufficient to help you endure.
Luke 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
Then He broke the bread. God exercised His divine ability to alter the condition of what was in His hands. God changed the condition of the bread: He broke it. God blessed what needed to be broken. Grace is not meant to stop the breaking, grace helps endure the breaking! You cannot resist the breaking anymore! God desires to change some things in your life, and the more you resist…the more stagnant you become. Because change only happens after something becomes broken.
4. Retrospective revelation.
Hindsight is 20/20…and only after change has taken place can you finally find clarity in retrospection. Once He broke the bread, their eyes were opened. Change brings revelation. And broken situations open our eyes. It’s only AFTER the breaking…only AFTER change that we see why it was necessary and find the answers we have had since it all started.
A few things my grandmother would say to me that didn’t make sense then, but are relevant and true to the retrospective revelation of what I (or you) endured and why:
“Keep living son…you will learn…”
“You’ll understand it better by and by…”
“A wise fool won’t be a fool for long…an old fool will never change…Which are you going to be?”
Forgive. Let the grudge go. Release the hurt. Put down the pain you have been carrying. Let God change you. And you will see that every unanswered question you had while going through will be answered after you come out.
Originally posted on November 13, 2018 @ 6:53 AM