There is a train coming

In the not too far distance there is a train coming. A beckoning voice that booms in the lowest valleys and awakens the coldest mountains. There is a train coming. And I have my shoes on. I have no need that is greater than the one that dragged me here. I have no bag to hold my things. Sad shadows absent, I am standing with my head turned to the horizon.

And as I hear the wild beat of my heart I twirl around every once in a while, looking. I am looking for him. Her. You.

And if I can see even part of you, I am coming to accompany, if you’d let me. And if you can walk, I will hold your bags and walk with you. If you can run I will run and laugh and point to the horizon as you summit the hill to the train station. And if life holds you down but your spirit is stirring, and you can’t run, can’t walk, if you can’t even push the wheels of your chair to come and see, I will lay down and let you on my back and I will crawl up for you. I will drop my pride and love you and tell you we are going together.

Why?

Because there is a train coming. And the sweetest song to ever touch your ears is playing on board. The best stories ever told will be shared. And the safest home in the history of belonging is its destination.

That train will have the sun on its side with all its warming glory. You will not want to miss that train. You will want to feel the hard boards under your feet of this boardwalk…

…and you won’t mind holding on to things very loosely if it means you can climb on board. 

You will not despair when people mock you for still making plans for that train time after time.

You will need both hands for your big leap. You will have to tell yourself to let go, wholly believing in the grip of grace that awaits. You’ll be okay. More than okay.

There is a train coming and it carries in its billows of steam a reckoning for all things aching to be made right. The very coals that keep the engine burning are that of truth and justice, compassion and goodness. And it’s about time.

The clock is ticking, telling us time matters and the train is right on schedule. Don’t bother building up your fancy kingdom for it to all come to a ghost town soon after. Don’t bother being so angry when you can’t even take the hurt with you. Don’t bother with your fear, it will make you late. And don’t bother lying to yourself that another train will come again, when you “feel ready”. There isn’t another station where you can get on board upon your own terms. You cannot show up sold out to your opinions. You must come empty, upon the back of a price already paid.

There is only one train. Only one chance. But the Ticket Master will say “ALL aboard.”

Every last one of us. The boardwalk for the waiting and wanting is plenty big enough. And there is refreshment for the soul when you get here.

That train is Jesus. The way already paved, He laid down the boards and steel then mapped the journey to come and pick each of us up. Reigning in total victory, He is returning for me and for you.

He will only be coming through one time. Just once. He has been here before and paid a dear price to come back once more. And every day that He has not returned He has loved you and watched over you. He has built a home for you and intercedes for you, when there are no words but only aches that reach the heavens, even then He knows your heartfelt requests.

So if I see even a glimpse of you, I’ll be on my knees praying for you to come. It’s a long and hard journey for some and you may not like the help sometimes. But it’s a journey worth taking still.

Like I said at the beginning, I stand with my head turned watching. My clothes are tattered and I get tired. But there is a train coming and I am gonna get on it. I’m gonna sing and dance when I am aboard. I’m gonna pray to see my children pile on with their tattered clothes. And I am gonna cry too. Because after my whole life, however long it may be and however long I have waited, He finally came and I am finally headed home.

Please, come get on. There is nothing that horse of steel can’t pick up, nothing too lonely or lost that won’t be allowed on.

Just start walking to Jesus, He will get you ready. And I can’t wait to see you.