THE TRAIN SET
One great decoration with any Christmas tree is a trainset underneath it. With all the other decorations and wrapped gifts, a nice train, slowly going in circles underneath the tree makes for a spell-binding moment. Let’s get down close to the ground, lie on our stomachs, and view its route.
It’s passing gift after gift, toy people, a small town, and a faraway village. Through a little tunnel it goes; emerging as entrancing as ever. Making its way on to the final curve, it heads our way again. Isn’t it wonderful as it passes right before us?! We can see the railcars such as the cargo, the tanker, the supply car, hoppers, and the caboose. The twinkling Christmas lights add special effects drawing us in to a calm and peaceful setting.
Does life feel like you’re on a trainset? As you venture round and round, far and near passing small towns and miles of track and upcoming tunnels; do you get stuck in them? Do you need help getting out? As you head into valleys do you emerge in peace and serenity, or does the snow of life derail you?
As trains can transport us from place to place, people can get stuck in faraway places. There are hurting folk out there. Maybe you’ve lost a son/daughter or grandkids and you can’t get off the train. Maybe you’ve got tons of pictures or videos of loved ones you’ve lost, and while they bring you comfort and cheer, they’re also holding you from moving on. Watching them over and over, like a trainset going in circles, hurting hearts can’t heal. You can gently signal to the Conductor that your stop is coming up. If your train ride is a bit more difficult, you may have to pull the emergency break, bringing the train to a halt, and wait for those doors to open so you can run out.
Jesus is the Conductor of our train. He makes sure we stay on the tracks and veers us through beautiful mountainous scenery routes. He also leads us through valleys as well. As our train trudges through snow or near deep ravines, God holds us near His heart as we hold on to our seats. But oftentimes, trials come and we need to hold His hand. Life’s adventures can be scary, even traumatic, but as our train puffs away, Jesus pulls us into the station. There, we get a refresh. Our ride is through until we’re ready to board again. How long will your ride be? Only Jesus knows. Maybe it’s time to get up from the floor and view the entire picture: the Christmas tree above, decorations within, gifts below, and a train slowly billowing smoke puffs as it rounds the Christmas tree of our lives. All aboard!
Merry Christmas!
Sam
