RECENTLY I WAS STUDYING the Gospel of Luke's account of Jesus' walk to Emmaus with two of his followers after the resurrection. I was struck by this comment from one of those with whom Jesus had just spoken: "Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?" (24:32)
Think of it! These followers apparently did not realize at first that the man talking with them was Jesus, but they so strongly felt the spiritual animus of the Christ in his words that their hearts "burned" within them!
Have you ever had an experience in which you felt such joy and inspiration that your heart "burned"? Athletes, artists, and musicians often put in endless hours of practice to cultivate a skill or pursue a craft without a single complaint because their hearts yearn to master it. When I was growing up, certain courses in school were so exciting to me that I felt a burning desire to pursue them. Likewise, as a young adult, I found it a thrill and a joy to work with young people at a summer camp. Again, after college when I took a 12-day course in Christian Science class instruction, I recall being so elated by what I was learning of God that I walked around with a grin on my face, thinking to myself, "Yes, this is it!" When one's heart burns for something, any sacrifice to achieve it is really no sacrifice at all.
