An attraction that never interested me at Disneyland was "Autotopia," a miniature car connected to a rail that guided the car along the course. There was a steering wheel in the car but it did not allow the driver to make meaningful decisions. Go-carts were a much more exciting prospect for me because of increased speed and the opportunity to be in control, take turns as fast as possible, and the fun challenge of passing other riders. For other people, even go-carts are a yawn when you could go off-road. Why be confined to a small oval track when there is a world to explore?
When the cliche is used "off the rails" it can mean a person, business, or group is like a train that has jumped the track that is no longer safe or able to reach the desired destination. A train needs a track for the conductor to guide it to the next station. The ironic thing is when it comes to life there are no rails that force us on the right path. Very rarely are our choices of attitude or thoughts between changing our current track for one other option: a whole world of input, feelings, experiences, and beliefs impact our decisions, and sometimes even we realise we have made or are making the wrong choices. Personal change isn't as easy as pulling a lever.
Another term of phrase used to reference a lapse of sobriety is "falling off the wagon." Like the train that relies upon the guidance of rails to reach a station, the implication is the wagon--the program, support, and principles--are constructed to guide a person to continued sobriety and to kick addiction. As good as structure, routine, and boundaries are, they have their limits because of the free agency God has given people to choose for themselves. Sometimes our ability to reason is hijacked by lies we believe, doubts in God and His Word, and because we are naturally stubborn and rebellious. We can jump off the wagon because it doesn't seem to be working as fast as we hoped. One who falls off the wagon can choose to remain on the ground as the wagon plods towards the destination with one less rider.
The example Jesus gives of Him being the Good Shepherd and His hearers being like sheep is a far more accurate representation of the Christian walk than wagons or trains. Jesus did not herd sheep into wagons to carry them to grassy fields and still waters but we must voluntarily choose to follow the call of Christ step after step. The church is not intended to be heavy machinery engineered to carry passengers along a rail to heaven but is a living organism, a Body of believers where Jesus Christ is the Head. I believe people like the idea of a train that has tracks leading them to heaven or a wagon carrying them to sobriety and victory. The only decision that must be made is to climb aboard and then it will carry us home without us needing to pay a personal cost to repent of sin or exercise faith in Jesus whatsoever.
When used as modes of transportation wagons and trains were modified for comfort with springs, padded cushions, ventilation, and windows. In addition to these features these vehicles were attractive because they could bring occupants to their desired destinations much faster than walking on foot. Yet there is a comfort sheep that walked great distances in the sun a businessman in an air-conditioned coach may not have: the presence of a Good Shepherd who loved them and gave His life for His sheep. Jesus indeed is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He does not promise a luxurious, first-class experience of comfort in this life, yet He provides the Comforter who fills us with the presence of God. It is vain to trust the machinery of church ministry or the wagon of programs to keep us on the "straight and narrow" when Jesus Christ is faithful and loving to lead us every step of the way.
As we follow Christ in faith and obedience life becomes less about what we do or don't do but who Jesus is and all He has done for us. When "the Way" becomes our Way in daily experience we are more secure, better directed and comforted than any train or wagon could boast. Where the train and wagon picture works well is we are not alone in the journey, for Jesus connects us with other believers who are on the same journey by grace through faith. He has given us a command to love one another as He loves us so when another falls we are there to lift them up. Circumstances may prompt us to desire an express train to heaven, yet we are wise to enjoy the journey God has planned for us. Like runners who are intentional to compete according to the rules to prevent disqualification, may we each press on for the finish line as we follow Christ's example of love and sacrifice.
When the cliche is used "off the rails" it can mean a person, business, or group is like a train that has jumped the track that is no longer safe or able to reach the desired destination. A train needs a track for the conductor to guide it to the next station. The ironic thing is when it comes to life there are no rails that force us on the right path. Very rarely are our choices of attitude or thoughts between changing our current track for one other option: a whole world of input, feelings, experiences, and beliefs impact our decisions, and sometimes even we realise we have made or are making the wrong choices. Personal change isn't as easy as pulling a lever.
Another term of phrase used to reference a lapse of sobriety is "falling off the wagon." Like the train that relies upon the guidance of rails to reach a station, the implication is the wagon--the program, support, and principles--are constructed to guide a person to continued sobriety and to kick addiction. As good as structure, routine, and boundaries are, they have their limits because of the free agency God has given people to choose for themselves. Sometimes our ability to reason is hijacked by lies we believe, doubts in God and His Word, and because we are naturally stubborn and rebellious. We can jump off the wagon because it doesn't seem to be working as fast as we hoped. One who falls off the wagon can choose to remain on the ground as the wagon plods towards the destination with one less rider.
The example Jesus gives of Him being the Good Shepherd and His hearers being like sheep is a far more accurate representation of the Christian walk than wagons or trains. Jesus did not herd sheep into wagons to carry them to grassy fields and still waters but we must voluntarily choose to follow the call of Christ step after step. The church is not intended to be heavy machinery engineered to carry passengers along a rail to heaven but is a living organism, a Body of believers where Jesus Christ is the Head. I believe people like the idea of a train that has tracks leading them to heaven or a wagon carrying them to sobriety and victory. The only decision that must be made is to climb aboard and then it will carry us home without us needing to pay a personal cost to repent of sin or exercise faith in Jesus whatsoever.
When used as modes of transportation wagons and trains were modified for comfort with springs, padded cushions, ventilation, and windows. In addition to these features these vehicles were attractive because they could bring occupants to their desired destinations much faster than walking on foot. Yet there is a comfort sheep that walked great distances in the sun a businessman in an air-conditioned coach may not have: the presence of a Good Shepherd who loved them and gave His life for His sheep. Jesus indeed is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He does not promise a luxurious, first-class experience of comfort in this life, yet He provides the Comforter who fills us with the presence of God. It is vain to trust the machinery of church ministry or the wagon of programs to keep us on the "straight and narrow" when Jesus Christ is faithful and loving to lead us every step of the way.
As we follow Christ in faith and obedience life becomes less about what we do or don't do but who Jesus is and all He has done for us. When "the Way" becomes our Way in daily experience we are more secure, better directed and comforted than any train or wagon could boast. Where the train and wagon picture works well is we are not alone in the journey, for Jesus connects us with other believers who are on the same journey by grace through faith. He has given us a command to love one another as He loves us so when another falls we are there to lift them up. Circumstances may prompt us to desire an express train to heaven, yet we are wise to enjoy the journey God has planned for us. Like runners who are intentional to compete according to the rules to prevent disqualification, may we each press on for the finish line as we follow Christ's example of love and sacrifice.
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