Finding Hope on the CaminoНамуна

Next Steps

A few thousand years ago, seven miles from Jerusalem, two friends decided to walk the road to Emmaus, much like the Camino.

Luke chapter 24 says these men were downcast yet full of questions. Why? Because Jesus had been killed. These two friends had lost their joy as they talked to each other.

"Everyone is saying His body has vanished from the tomb, could someone have stolen it and why?"

As they were discussing this tragedy, a new traveler joined them on the road. After listening to their laments, he said, "What is this you are talking about?"

One man responded, "Are you the only person who hasn't heard the sad news of Jesus' death?"

So the new traveler began to tell them about pilgrims in the Bible who had been through difficult times and made the best of them. His way of telling stories lifted their spirits, and they invited him to dinner so they could spend more time with him.

Sitting at the table eating and discussing the ancient scriptures, the men suddenly realized who this storyteller was. It was Jesus! But immediately, Christ disappeared from their sight.

They marveled, "Now we understand why our hearts burned within us as we listened to Him speak." Changed by their encounter with God, who had risen from the dead, they returned to Jerusalem to tell the disciples.

Perhaps you can distinguish those incredible moments when Jesus accompanied you down a difficult road in life. Do you want to be a follower of Jesus filled with hope again? It's easy. While the following paragraph isn't a magic prayer that somehow turns you into a Christian, making this affirmation in a heartfelt manner can be a great start of Jesus coming to live inside of you to make you a child of God.

Heavenly Father, I desire to walk by Your side, listen to Your voice, and leave the Camino a new person, but not because walking this difficult road earned me favor with You. I understand your salvation is a free gift, and I can't do anything to make You forgive me or love me anymore than You already do. I believe You sent Jesus to shed His blood and die, then rise from the dead to make a way so I could have a personal relationship with You. I want to place you in charge of my life now. Amen.

If you genuinely meant this prayer, welcome to the family of God! I'd like to connect and help you in your new journey with Jesus. Or if you're still undecided, but you want to continue talking about spiritual things, contact me at http://www.tezbrooks.com

La Fuente del Peregrino (The Pilgrim's Fountain) is a small, clean hostel on the Camino in the beautiful countryside of Ligonde, Spain. I have volunteered there several times and highly recommend it. Please stop by for free refreshments, toilets, basic first aid, prayer, or just a relaxing swing in their hammocks. To bless you, there is no charge to lodge overnight there; generous donors have already paid for your stay. You can look up more information about La Fuente del Peregrino online. The hostel is owned and operated by Agape, a Christian non-profit organization that is present in more than 170 countries.