Sermon On The Distorted Rails Of Life

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.