Greta Sheppard's Blog

In the words of Tony Campolo . . .

"AS IMPORTANT AS YOUR PAST IS, IT IS NOT AS IMPORTANT AS THE WAY YOU SEE YOUR FUTURE."

Charles David Tillman had to be inspired when he wrote the Blue Grass Gospel favorite: Life is Like A Mountain Railroad. The lyrics liken life's journey to a train ride with a destination. Just as there's a beginning and ending to every story so there is to every journey, even our own.  Like the lyrics say: "...we must make the run successful from the cradle to the grave".  

What we remember most about our train ride through life are the breath taking view-points; the happy times, family re-unions, the birthday parties, the weddings, the babies, the graduations, the promotions, etc.  Always on time, the generational train kept rolling on through the good and the bad, even though the happy times were too often interrupted by mud slides like sickness, funerals, failures, divorces, abuses, alcholism, etc. That's when the debris covered the tracks, temporarily stalling our train.  Unfortunately for some, there were too many of those sudden stops in the early part of their trip.  

BUT THE TRAIN ROLLS ON . . . it waits for no one! 

When we ride the rails of a disturbed past we often get sidetracked, making the mistake of backing up when we should be moving ahead. It's like taking two steps forward and one step back.  Time is lost and no ground is gained when we live that way.   It is no wonder some folks are always irritable and angry.  Trying to live in the present while holding a grudge from the past is not the best way to take in the ride.  Been there and done that! 

BUT THE TRAIN ROLLS ON . . . time waits for no one! 

Family failures are largely responsible for the train wrecks and broken lives we see along the way.  Human error switched the signals along the track, derailing relationships. Some survived the wreckage and were forced to change trains in search of their dreams for happiness and peace of mind.  Most of them boarded a train only to find other passengers like themselves; huddling in fear of the long, dark tunnels and the emotional trestles they must cross in order to prevent falling into the  deep chasms of life.  The winding curves of uncertainty and the anxiety of not knowing what's around the next bend blinds them to the beauty outside their window.   Some even decide to jump off,  leaving the discipline of the track in search of freedom.  Trouble is they would be free, but they won't  go anywhere.  Just have to wait for another train on another track to come in!  Only the Engineer knows what freight that next train might be hauling!

WE'RE ALL RIDING THE RAILS!  OUR TRAIN KEEPS ROLLING ALONG......

Some of us are riding in a chilly Freight car huddling with others to keep warm. Others prefer the Scenic dome car, it takes their mind off their troubles.  Some ride in Economy, content with the status quo. Others have learned there's a First Class with white linen napkins and fine china to eat off.  Our outlook on life and the belief system we hold determines the car we sit in.  We all have a ticket but we are not the ticket agent.   When God breathed into Adam, " Adam became a living soul".  That first breath became his ticket to board the train of life. There was no seat assignment given to Adam...just go and multiply.  The choices were up to him but God was the Engineer riding up front.  He still is!  

 In this dispensation of time our ticket for the train of life was handed us the moment our parents made love and we were conceived.  Our seat assignment is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, body and our neighbour as ourself.  In other words, love one another and bear fruit.  Adam's job was to fill the earth after his own kind.  Our job is to bring 'born again' babies to the Kingdom of God through acts of love and kindness, which we learned by loving God with all that we are.  When you love someone that much you are bound to want to introduce that person to those you love. 

 So: The analogy of Father God being my Engineer is because my dad worked on the railroad. He knew and now I know the importance of a good engineer, just as David knew the importnt qualities of a good Shepherd.  I was very aware in those natural young years of travelling on the train with my dad and family that there was a destiny on my life. 

At birth when I was put into my mothers arms, she had left her body during labour. She described it as a "split second" of travelling through a dark tunnel and being met by a bright light.  Out of the light extended two arms holding a baby. A Voice said, as he laid the baby in her arms: " Here, take her and raise her for me for I have need of her."  The next thing she heard was my first cry.  When I turned twelve God spoke into my adolescent heart that I would be involved in evangelistic work.  Now, here I am, 67 years later, doing that very thing. 

 My 'train' has taken me through 54 countries!  Oh, there were many times of human failure and I wanted off the train.  Wrong signals were given.  I tried to jump the tracks but my Engineer was smarter than I.  Spiritually I was many years in the freight car.  I would never be good enough to sit in First Class and eat First Class food served in fine china on a white linen tablecloth!  One day the Good Shepherd 'set a table before me in the presence of my enemies'. I had a revelation of God's Goodness and Grace and I moved up to a better railcar.  Riding the freight car in the rear next to the caboose was my own choice because I didn't know there was a better ride up front. 

Uh, uh!  Ignorance is not always bliss!!!  I love digging and discovering the hidden gold nuggets in God's word.   I have become rich in belief since I discovered the pure gold of extravagant love He has for me and all mankind.    I eat good food...fitly spoken words...'apples of gold and (refreshing water in) pitchers of  silver'.  I am a bread-aholic for the Bread of Life. He has given me the best of travelling companions....family, friends, neighours, pastors. 

AND THE TRAIN KEEPS ROLLING ON . . . . . . .