I just finished three days of YFC/USA national board meetings in North Carolina at the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove.  Located just a few miles outside of Asheville, The Cove is located on the side of a mountain and it is one of the most tranquil places I’ve ever been.  Little (Verizon) or no (AT&T) cell coverage, no TV and wifi only in the lobby guaranteed a virtually tech free stay.  It was great.

This morning our President, Dan Wolgemuth, shared from Luke 24: 13-35, where Jesus appears to two of his disciples as they travel on the road to Emmaus. President Dan’s message was that Jesus is with us in the “lag time”–in this passage it represents the time when the disciples are still trying to figure out what happened after the resurrection and what to tell others.  As they walk along (with downcast eyes), Jesus shows up and asks (my paraphrase), “What’s up?”  Their response was (again, my paraphrase)–”Have you been living under a rock?!” and go on to tell Jesus (although they don’t recognize him) all that happened over the past few days–the crucifixion, resurrection and empty tomb.

After listening, Jesus then goes on to tell them the entire story of what he (still unknown to them) understands from Scripture.  They invite this stranger to stay with them for dinner and once Jesus breaks bread, their eyes are opened to Jesus and he disappears. They ask each other, “weren’t our hearts burning when He walked with us?”

The lesson to me this morning at The Cove–Jesus is with me in the “lag time”…those moments, hours, even days when I wonder if He is walking with me in the difficult times. When the sky is the darkest, when there doesn’t seem to be a solution, when I feel lost in my way…Jesus is still walking with me. Just like these men on the road to Emmaus–He is there, He never leaves, He’s always faithful.  An encouraging message to start my day.