The Emmaus Road

So, what do you talk about when you are with your Christian friends? The world is full of gossip and bad news and much time is wasted on poor conversation. It seems simple enough to understand that we generally talk about what we have been filling our minds with. If a man spends large amounts of time pondering baseball statistics he will probably engage other men in his topic of interest. Women who watch "the soaps" will gravitate to conversing about daytime TV or celebrity gossip. For teens irresistible conversation is laced with breakups and hookups and fights after classes. I have not been a world traveler, but I am on friendly terms with men who speak with thick accents. They comment on American culture in ways that fascinate me. It seems that we are viewed as shallow people who care little for important matters, but waste inordinate amounts of oxygen on the weather, sports and media entertainment (music, movies, celebs, scandals, etc.).

It stands to reason that if we believe that God is real and all of life is colored by the light he shines in our lives, then the things of God would be on our lips with a little more regularity. I was reminded of this while reading from the final chapter of the book of Luke this morning. Two men were conversing about the wonderful things God was doing in the preceding weeks and months. I think it is worth pointing out that they were not sitting in pews or walking the grounds of a Christian camp, or in any other "Christian" setting for that matter. We expect those things. But, these men were merely walking down the road together (I am a big fan of walking conversations but that is a rabbit trail I'll have to avoid at present). I love how the story tells us that Jesus showed up right in the middle of their "Jesus" conversation. Coincidence? I cannot say for absolute certainty but doesn't it make sense to expect Jesus to show up when we're talking about something that relates to the faith? Also, should we fault him for seeming aloof when we have no sense of heavenly mindedness? I love the Boston Redsox but I've yet to get into an eternally significant dialogue with someone over who is pitching or hitting well at present.

So, here's the thought I want to leave with you today. It comes in the form of a question: How often does Jesus show up in your casual conversation? Remember, we talk about the things that matter to us. Let's redeem the time together.