Within the church, Easter comes as a high point, with special music, colors and worship services. It seems that not long after Easter Sunday, life is back to the same-old same old. The enthusiasm of Easter soon gives way to the busyness (or "business") of life. It's not that we lose faith in God or that we don't care, but there are so many things along the way that creep into our lives that prove a distraction: disappointment with people, confusion, unmet expectations, even shattered hopes.

In Luke 24, we read the story of two disciples on a 7-mile journey from Jerusalem to a town named Emmaus. This takes place after Easter, but apparently before they had seen Jesus alive again. Jesus appears and walks with them, but they didn't recognize him. They shared their experience of Holy Week and how Jesus was thought to be a great prophet, powerful teacher, miracle worker, etc. He was put to death and they had hoped he would be the one to deliver them from oppression. [As a nation, Israel was conquered by the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Greeks and the Romans - they were hoping for a leader to deliver them and re-establish their nation. Truth be told, Matthew 1:21 reminds us that Jesus came to deliver His people from the enemy of sin, not a political power.] Their hopes had been dashed when everything they looked forward to didn't happen as they thought it would. Jesus called them "slow of heart to believe..." and explained from Scripture (the Old Testament - the Jewish bible) what was foretold about himself. Finally, they recognized him when they got to their destination and he "broke bread" with them. Perhaps it brought to mind the recent Passover celebration, where he did the same with his followers. Perhaps in the closeness of the meal, they recognized the one who promised he would die and rise from death. In the end, their confusion and pain as a result of dashed hopes melted away in the presence of the one who kept his promises and was with them in the breaking of the bread.

I'm a Gen-Xer by birth, and I have learned that many of my peers have moved away from "church", not for lack of interest in God, but because the things they had hoped for did not happen as they expected. I've learned that many of us still seek God on the journey of life, but are looking in places where he hasn't promised to be. Jesus said, "Where two or three gather in my name, there I am in the midst of them." It wasn't so much a reference to a church building, but the gathering of the his followers "in his name." Acts 2 describes this gathering this way: "They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." In the journey of life, Christ intended that his followers would draw strength as they continued in his teachings, spent time building true relationships, gathered to receive His supper and to pray together. On the journey, the two disciples were clueless as to who Jesus was and where he was to be found. Jesus didn't rebuke them for "not getting it." He pointed them to himself, reassured them by his presence and simply vanished - they had seen him and wouldn't need any more encoouragement to get moving. They didn't need to hold onto Jesus in some "kum-ba-yah experience," for there was real business to take care - the business of sharing the message on their journey. This is where many [Gen Xers & others] have problems with "the church" - we want to see faith in action, not just words and attendance.

Have you struggled with reconciling "faith" and "church"? On your journey, have you allowed distractions or dashed hopes to render you clueless as to who Jesus is and where He wants you to find Him? You're not alone! Jesus revealed himself on the journey and taught the disciples. He shared a meal with them in which He offered Himself: "this is my body..my blood...given for you!" They finally got it! Where are you looking for that experience of God? Is it in your own expectations? Do you imagine that Jesus could meet you on your journey in the place he promises to be...where two or three gather in His name?

A high school teacher once told me, "If you want a perfect church, get rid of the people. But once you get rid of the people, you no longer have the church!" If your hopes have been dashed like the disciples on the road to Emmaus...if you've been burned by people...if you are confused as to where to find God, then look to Jesus Christ where he may be found. He meets you on the journey and promises to be where you can learn his teachings, be strengthened with others, get spiritually fed and lift your questions and pains to God in prayer. As an ember draws strength from the other embers in a fire, so we draw strength on the journey by walking with others who seek to find God. Give yourself the opportunity to benefit from a community of faith. When there are problems and imperfections, be part of the solution...Jesus said we are to be salt and light in this world, and that begins among people who are earnestly seeking him on the journey.

Being a Gen-Xer, I get excited about having "faith with feet." I want my feet and hands do what my head and my heart believe. This happens for me as I find strength in the community of faith that is my church and seek opportunities to put my faith into action. On my journey, I am blessed to be met by Jesus and see who He is again and again in the faces of those I serve and the places where He is found. I hope you will seek Jesus where He may be found - among believers (an imperfect church) - that you may believe and follow him on the journey of life.

Brian Smith