In Sunday’s message, we looked at the story in Luke 24—two disciples walking to Emmaus, weighed down by grief, only to discover that Jesus had been walking with them all along. Their hearts burned within them as He opened the Scriptures, and by the time they recognized Him in the breaking of bread, everything had changed.

But there’s something I didn’t say on Sunday—because, frankly, it might’ve made a few folks uncomfortable.

Here it is:
Sometimes our hearts used to burn with faith… and now they don’t.

We used to feel excited about Jesus. We used to read Scripture and actually expect God to speak. We used to invite people to church, share what we were learning, and pray bold prayers. But somewhere along the way—through years of routine, disappointment, or just plain fatigue—our faith grew quiet. Familiar. Private. Stale.

And I get it.

It’s easier, as we age, to think that spiritual passion is for the younger crowd. That the season for “spiritual fire” has passed. That we’ve done our part. Now, we settle into quiet belief, try to live decent lives, and mostly keep our faith to ourselves.

But that’s not the Emmaus story.

Those two disciples were walking away from community. Away from the place of resurrection. They were confused, disillusioned, and done. And Jesus didn’t scold them—He joined them. He walked with them. He reignited their faith.

And what did they do next?

They didn’t just sit by the fire and say, “Wasn’t that a nice moment?”
They got up. Returned to the others. Told someone what had happened.

That’s what fire does—it spreads.

So here’s what I didn’t say Sunday, but want to say now:

If your heart isn’t burning anymore, it’s not too late.

Maybe you’ve walked this road for a long time and think you’ve already heard it all. Maybe your faith has grown quiet out of habit or disappointment. But the risen Christ still meets us on the road—especially when we’re not expecting Him.

And here’s the challenge:
Don’t keep your faith to yourself.

Our churches are full of people whose hearts once burned and now only smolder. What if you told someone what Christ has done in your life lately—no matter how small? What if you prayed with someone instead of just for them? What if you shared your story before it cools off?

There’s someone out there who needs to hear that God is still in the business of warming cold hearts.

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One final thought:
When the disciples’ eyes were opened, they didn’t just feel something—they did something. They ran back and told the others.

So if your heart’s been quietly burning… don’t let it go out.
Let it ignite someone else.

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Closing Prayer:

Risen Christ,
You met the disciples on the road when they were weary, disappointed, and full of doubt—and You walked with them anyway.
You spoke truth that stirred their hearts,
and You revealed Yourself in the simple breaking of bread.

So today, I ask You to walk with me again.

Reignite what has grown dim.
Remind me of the fire I once felt.
Break through my tired faith, my silent doubt, and my fear of speaking up.

Give me courage to share, not just believe—
to tell others how You’ve met me,
and to live with a heart that still burns for You.

Let Your Word spark something new in me,
and may I never keep Your presence to myself.

Amen.