What track in life are you on this morning? Is it
despair or fear? Do you prefer to travel alone? Or doubt that God exits? Or
that Jesus really cares?
All tracks, our journey on this earth, lead to an empty
tomb. The Teacher taught that God hears the cry of the poor. To be poor has
nothing to do with how much we have piled up in our bank accounts or garages.
But it is a reference to a student who is lost on an exam. They don’t have a
clue how to solve the answer and worse they think that they know more than
their teacher.
Michael, my brother-in-law, imitated his
life after the Master teacher who taught a message of hope in times of death. Come away from your
doubts, your anger, your pride and blame—anything that distracts you from the
truth. Michael taught Literature for over 35 years and remembered the stories about the
resurrection. The final gift Jesus shared with his disciples was “peace.” In
Hebrew, “shalom” never denied the reality of suffering and the heartache of
pain.
The Book of Wisdom teaches that from our grief, insanity
of war, pain and disease comes new life. The resurrection stories that Mike
read in his bible are real and not fiction. What track have you chosen to
travel?
Mike taught his students to believe in themselves that
their studies would prepare them how to live a life of holiness. The track that
Mike laid down for us is called faith. His suffering had a purpose to make us
a better people—more holy—compassionate, kind, forgiving, generous and grateful.
Mike lived a life of holiness and Jesus has taken his hand and led him to the Station of Glory. In gratitude, we need to humble ourselves for people like
Mike that God has given to us and believe!
One of Mike’s operating buddies at the funeral reception
shared that Mike’s dad Charlie needed someone to help him build another train switch in
heaven. When Mike arrived, his dad pulled up his son into heaven and the two
are at their workbench building more train scenes and designing more switches to
bring all their friends into the Station of Glory.
As a special tribute to Mike, I found this Railroad
Prayer on-line. Forgive me, but I have edited some of the phases and hope all
our railroad friends enjoy!
"A Railroad Prayer"
Lord, now that I have flagged You down, I lift up my feet from the rough road of life and plant them safely on the deck of the train of salvation. Let me use the safety lamp known as prudence, and join all the couplings in the train with the strong arm of love. Let my hand lamp be Your message of love for all passengers who board this train. Heavenly Engineer keep all the switches closed that lead off to the sidings, especially those with a blind end. Lord of the track, have every semaphore block along the line show the white light of hope that I may make the run of life without stopping. Conductor of Life may your Beatitudes be our schedule for the journey. With Your guidance help us to finish on schedule and when we pull into the dark station of death, may the Station Master of Heaven say, "Well done good and faithful traquero (railroad track worker), come and sign the payroll and receive the check of eternal happiness."
Lord, now that I have flagged You down, I lift up my feet from the rough road of life and plant them safely on the deck of the train of salvation. Let me use the safety lamp known as prudence, and join all the couplings in the train with the strong arm of love. Let my hand lamp be Your message of love for all passengers who board this train. Heavenly Engineer keep all the switches closed that lead off to the sidings, especially those with a blind end. Lord of the track, have every semaphore block along the line show the white light of hope that I may make the run of life without stopping. Conductor of Life may your Beatitudes be our schedule for the journey. With Your guidance help us to finish on schedule and when we pull into the dark station of death, may the Station Master of Heaven say, "Well done good and faithful traquero (railroad track worker), come and sign the payroll and receive the check of eternal happiness."
