How?

Dozens of women walk past my window each day. I imagine their conversations as they walk through the neighborhood…

“Did you hear? Her husband is having an affair. I know, I can’t believe it either. I used to see them working in their yard every weekend…”
“Is her son out of jail yet? He used to deliver my newspaper. Yes, it was drugs. I haven’t seen her much since her granddaughter came to live with her…”
“I have to get groceries and go to the bank before dinner, then get the kids off to football and dance. There’s never enough time in my day…”
“I don’t know her at all. She’s a single mom. Her yard sure needs a mow!”
“I miss taking walks with him. I haven’t seen the kids much since the funeral…”

For many of my neighbors, life isn’t turning out as they planned. They may feel like the disciples in Luke 24. They, too, were talking about their life’s disappointments as they walked the road between Jerusalem and their hometown, a place called Emmaus, a seven mile journey.

You live on the road to Emmaus.

The road to Emmaus is just like Rosewood Drive, or Main Street, or James Road. It’s the road between the formal place of worship and the place where you really need Jesus – right in your own home. It’s where the serenity of the sanctuary meets the screaming baby and ringing doorbell. It’s what my good friend Keith Miller calls “your every day walking around, eating, sleeping, working, making love life.”

I love how Jesus enters the story! Luke 24:15 says, “Jesus himself came up and walked along with them.” He just showed up and started a conversation, like you might do in line at the grocery store.

Jesus got in step and started walking. He “came up” to them – this means He joined them, He drew near, He approached them. He “walked along with them” – He journeyed with them together. They didn’t even know it was Him, yet their hearts burned within them as He talked with them on the road.

I love what Jesus didn’t do. He didn’t preach a three-point sermon, invite them to church or tell them what awful sinners they were. Isn’t this a relief? You don’t have to go all the way to Africa or stand on a soapbox to follow Jesus’ example.

How can you join your neighbors?

How can you walk along with them?

Start a walking club. Arrange a time to meet and plot a course with different stopping points for women at all levels of fitness.
Call a neighbor the next time you’re going to the grocery store or the mall and offer to pick up any items she might need. Better yet, invite her to come along!
Plan a progressive raking party – spend thirty minutes at several different homes raking leaves or cleaning out flower beds for winter.
Deliver your neighbor’s paper to her door with a plate of cookies.
Ask your neighbor how she grows such beautiful flowers, who installed her new roof or who she recommends for babysitting. She’ll receive a compliment, you’ll receive some great advice.
Invite your neighbor to breakfast at a new restaurant, share a buy-one-get-one-free lunch special or take in a new movie together. The novelty of a new place or the thrill of a shared bargain are great ways to bond!

Jesus’ model was simple: just walk and talk! We can journey together with people in our own neighborhoods, right outside our doors.