Every now and then we experience it: a flash of insight about a difficult personal situation, a jolt of confidence or courage to make a difficult decision, an unexpected moment of understanding or empathy that allows us to forgive someone or let something go. It may be the strength needed to turn away from a temptation to go astray or a deep sense of gratitude that allows you to enjoy the present moment with loved ones.
These are glimpses of grace. They may happen out of the blue
or be triggered by a song on the radio
or be inspired by something someone said
or happen during spiritual reading or meditation.
In Luke 24:13-35, Jesus appears to two of his disciples on the road to Emmaus after his resurrection. The disciples were dejected because they thought their hopes for a redeemed Israel died with Jesus. Though the risen Jesus was standing in their midst, they did not recognize him. As they walked along the way, Jesus interpreted for them all the scripture that referred to him to show them why he had to suffer and die. The disciples invited Jesus for dinner and he broke bread with them. As he blessed, broke, and shared the bread, the disciples finally recognized him. He vanished at that moment.
They finally understood. They immediately got up and made the long journey back to tell the eleven and others what happened.
This gift of insight is fleeting and fragile. It vanishes so quickly that we are back to our old habits before we know it. This may happen because we simply don’t know what to do with these experiences. The actions of the disciples can help us. Here are five steps you can take to benefit long term from these glimpses of grace:
Act immediately. Make that phone call you have been dreading, apologize the person you hurt, let go of the grudge you have been holding on to, say “I love you” to a family member. Do it now, don’t wait for the right time. It would have been perfectly reasonable for the disciples to wait till morning to go back to Jerusalem but they didn’t. They acted immediately.
Reflect. When the disciples experienced their glimpse of grace, they said to one another “Were not our hearts burning within us.” Spend some time reflecting on the lessons learned from the insight you received. Write it down in a journal. Read it at a later date.
Tell someone. Wisdom is not meant to be kept to yourself. Tell someone, a trusted friend, a spouse, even a stranger. Sharing your story may spark grace and wisdom in another person.
Be grateful. Give thanks for the experience you had and the blessings that followed. Realize that it is a gift.
Become aware. Be mindful that there are multiple opportunities each day to have glimpses of grace. Our awareness is often dulled by our own preoccupations and spiritual blindness.
May our eyes be opened as the disciples’ eyes were opened so we can enjoy the abundant grace that surrounds us each day.