I went to sleep on a train the other day; there is nothing unusual in that. On this particular occasion it was a hot afternoon, the train was very busy and when I woke up with a start (as you do). I had no idea where I was despite only having dropped off for a couple of minutes. We had arrived at Colchester station, which I have passed through lots of times but I could no more recognise it than fly. The moment passed, I knew I was in the right place with nothing amiss.
Another conversation recently found two of us talking about the genetic mixtures in our respective families. How fascinating it is to research our past. In John 7 there is a record of a discussion about whether Jesus was the Messiah. Opinions were divided and one group reflected (John 7:42), ’Does not Scripture say that the Messiah will come from David’s descendants and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?’ The Messiah could not come from Galilee.
Jesus was the Messiah; he did come from Galilee and he was descended from King David. Three strands, one identity. I did wake up on the train and remember who and where I was, after a moment.
Trains run on rails and their destination is determined before departure. Dropping off to sleep does not alter the course of the journey. Jesus may have combined various strands of heritage, just as we all do, but he knew where he was doing even if others argued about it. On the same train, a young man was very lost and worried; it took me some time to reassure him that Ipswich was indeed Ipswich and his journey was over. He thanked me profusely and made his way onwards.
Stop a moment and reflect on where you are, look at the complexity of your past and ask, do I know who I am and where I am going in terms of the bigger picture of eternity. The Gospel train is an image from another time and style but it works – the invitation is to get on board and the implication is that once there the chance of getting lost reduces.
A Prayer
Father God, sometimes we worry more about where we have come from than we should, in order to disguise our concern that we may be unclear about where we are going to. May we pause a moment and reflect on where we have placed our trust for direction. If we are disorientated then help us to gather ourselves and trust in you for the unseen, unknown tomorrow, for Jesus’ sake, who always knew where he was going. Amen.