Encounters

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All cars have a designated period of living. When you buy a brand new car, it is at its infancy stage. Just like an infant, the car seems to be the one best thing at present. Its features are appealing and its overall look just magnetically attracts you. It also calls for you to adjust yourself to the way it is. Later down the years, as it gains on age, its functions start to slow down or give away. Not all of us get to experience this stage of the car because of the ever-trendy throw-away culture.

Photo by Brett Sayles from PEXELS
Anyway, getting back to the car, there is a peculiar experience I remember about our family car. It was when it began to show the first signs of entering into old age. One evening, after having finished our weekly outing, we were heading home when we realized that our car would not start. We checked the radiator and the oil tank but everything seemed fine. We were left with two options: jump-start the
car or push it all the way home. Both options seemed far-fetched. Firstly, the parking lot was scarcely full with no sign of people coming to start their cars. Secondly, the garages had all closed for the day. Thirdly, the place where we were was quite a distance from home (it was an hour's drive away).

As hopes began to diminish, it felt as if we would have to wait till late in the night. Just then, a car arrived and halted near us. The man was a local, yet he looked a bit like a blighter. He asked us what
had happened and offered to help us. With his help, we got to jump-start the car and were able to reach home safely. When all hopes seemed quashed, this man arrived to help us.

In the passage describing the Walk to Emmaus, one notices Jesus encountering the two disciples on their way out of Jerusalem. They are heartbroken, dejected and have lost all hope. Yet, Jesus arrives there and encounters them. At first, they aren't able to recognize him, but, later they will. Whenever we have an encounter with God, we do not recognize Him at first. He manifests himself in varied ways. Yet, He is always there to renew our hope in a hopeless situation and our faith in a difficult situation. We could ask ourselves, "Am I able to notice the God-sent people?" One thing is certain though. In every God encounter, our lives are changed tremendously.
Every God encounter changes our lives tremendously.
Photo edited by Yours truly

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