Joyful. Excited. Blessed. Does this describe you? We all have times when we don't feel particularly joyful, excited, or blessed. But as you consider your life, do those words come to mind?

Recently I've seen gloomy days. Gray clouds. Drizzling rain. Temperatures from freezing cold to deceptively warm and back again. Perfect cold and flu weather. Such days drive me indoors, physically and spiritually. I fall within myself. Connecting with others is more difficult, even burdensome.

This morning saw something unusual from the dismal train of dreary days. The sun actually showed itself. First a brilliant reddish-orange dot appeared, as though a drop of paint had fallen on the distant horizon. The glowing dot spread to either side, then a mound grew from the center until a golden ball rose into a brightening blue sky, free from the clutches of the earth below.

A bit dramatic, I know. But that's a sunrise after days of mournful dark clouds. As is often the case, that got me thinking. Why do I allow those dreary days to bring me down? The answer is simple---I become so caught up in the gloom of the moment that I forget about the sun. And that got me thinking even more.

Two men walk down a dusty, dirt road to a little village. On the way, they discuss the recent events back in the city. A teacher was brutally killed, and their dreams of "what could have been" died with him. The men, still in shock, are filled with sadness. Then a stranger joins the two men.

He asks them to explain what has happened in the city. They misunderstand his purpose and assume he doesn't know. So they recount how an innocent man was arrested, tortured, sentenced to death, and wrongly killed. They had hoped he was the one who could give them what they longed for.

The stranger isn't sympathetic. No "Poor dears." No hugs. Instead, he says they're foolish. Rather than allowing them to continue in despair, he recalls everything written about this teacher and, to their amazement, explains it all. At the village, the men beg the stranger to stay. He has dinner with them and blesses the food. Suddenly the men recognize him, and the stranger disappears.

This is the account of Jesus walking with two of His disciples on the road to Emmaus. After He vanished, the men asked each other something that's very important for us, as well. Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us? (Luke 24:32)

Here heart refers not simply to emotions or thoughts, but to the very core of one's physical and spiritual lives. And burning within means to be utterly consumed. As Jesus walked with them, He opened up the Scriptures and explained who He is, why He came, and what He gives. These men came alive as every part of their being was consumed with what He was sharing. There was joy. There was excitement. And they were blessed. Because on that dark, sad day, they looked beyond themselves and found Jesus.

Even on bad days, the sun has risen and sends its light to the earth. So too, the Son has risen and brings His light to the world. Do you need joy and excitement? Then don't act as though He has left you. Walk with Jesus. Listen to His voice. Return to His word. And rediscover His love for you.