Jenkin Lloyd Jones, a Welsh-born author and church minister practising in the United States of America once remarked: “Life is just like an old time rail journey ... delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride.” Romans 8:28 reminds us: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Rails are defined as a steel bar or continuous line of bars laid and secured to sleepers as one of a pair forming a railway track. They are designed to support and guide in varying directions. In metaphorical terminology, the Bible could be said to serve a similar purpose. Rails act as a stable foundation and a path for movement, whether that be applicable to mankind, trains, vehicles, or even in more specialised applications like woodworking. For travel purposes, railways play an important role, but what happens when things don’t always go to plan? Rails form the track on which trains travel from one given point to another, providing a stable surface for the wheels to roll along and guiding the train's movement. However, differing factors can affect their overall smoothness or function in life.
In the United Kingdom, the invention of railways as a modern, steam-powered system is typically dated to the early 19th century, with the Stockton and Darlington Railway in England opening in 1825 as the first public steam railway. While earlier forms of rails and tracks existed, the steam-powered locomotive revolutionised rail transport, just as Christ’s coming did the same for mortality. Rails can reflect life. Like humans, rails are affected by heat, primarily due to thermal expansion. As steel rails heat up, they expand, and if the temperature rises too much, they can buckle, causing disruptions to train services. This can lead to delays and cancellations, especially during heatwaves. These circumstances are similar to the negativity of man’s temperament when severe disruption to the smooth running of life is experienced. Cognitive distortions are biased or irrational thought patterns that can lead to negative self-perception, distorted views of situations, and difficulty in objective judgment.
Distorted thinking can adversely affect one’s perception of God or create a deformed image. Misshapen images can relate to false or unrealistic thinking which blocks spiritual growth and prevents one from truly knowing God as He really is. Hebrews 5:12-14 reminds us: “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” Negative thoughts can affect the correct understanding of promises or predictions made in the Bible. 2 Peter 3 addresses the issue of Christ's delayed return and the skepticism of some who believe He won't come back, while also emphasizing the importance of living holy lives and waiting for the Day of the Lord. The chapter encourages believers to remain steadfast in their faith, despite doubts or scoffing, and to actively prepare for the coming of the Lord.
It states: “This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.”
John A. Passaro, an American author once commented: “Life is like a train ride. The passengers on the train are seemingly going to the same destination as you, but based on their belief in you or their belief that the train will get them to their desired destination they will stay on the ride or they will get off somewhere during the trip. People can and will get off at any stop. Just know that where people get off is more of a reflection on them, than it is on you. There will be a few people in your life that will make the whole trip with you, who believe in you, accept that you are human and that mistakes will be made along the way, and that you will get to your desired destination - together, no matter what. Be very grateful of these people. They are rare and when you find one, don't let go of them - ever. Be blessed for the ones who get on at the worst stops when no one is there. Remember those people, they are special. Always hold them dear to your heart.”
It should always be remembered that the distortion of rails only occurs in extreme conditions. As one boards the ornate and elegant coaches of the trains of yesteryear to undertake a journey through the scenic countryside and wooded glades with their colorful meadows and fields intertwined, a spiritual rebirth may take place or a feeling of nostalgia may envelop that uplift hearts as life passes by, viewing the streams of life through its windows. One may even reflect on their own journey in life with God by their side. A rail journey, particularly if it encounters a pilgrimage, can draw us closer to God through several avenues. It can offer a space for reflection, prayer, and a connection with faith communities. Additionally, the act of travel itself can be an emblematic journey towards spiritual growth and a deeper understanding of God's world. John 3:1-5 reminds us: “Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”
Amen.
