IS THIS THE TRAIN FOR HEAVEN?

Years ago, my mom sang a song to me which her mother had sung to her.  It was called, IS THIS THE TRAIN FOR HEAVEN?  I loved that song and sang it to my kids.  I had the great honor of singing it to my mom the night she lay dying from cancer.  My voice was never great, but that night it seemed to be just right.


Now, I know there is no train for heaven.  I may be old, but I'm not stupid.  The book of John 14 in verses 1 through 3 tells me all I need to know.  John 14:3 reads, "Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God; trust also in me.  In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, I would have told you.  I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.  You know the way to the place where I am going."


"You know the way," the words say.  I think only Jesus Christ knows the way, and that is why I choose to know God through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through Him, I know I will find the way. (I know it in my knower!)


The study in this Bible adds to my knowing:  "Jesus words' show that the way to eternal life, though unseen, is secure--as secure as your trust in Jesus.  He has already prepared the way to eternal life.  The only issue that may still be unsettled is your willingness to believe."


I believe.  But, how many others in this great, wide, world also believe? As I see it, the whole world is in need of Being Saved.  No matter what country you examine there is turmoil,  hate, personal ambition, violence, refusal to give in, no sharing, no peace, no compassion, no unity.


As I try to understand Jesus' message here, I see that the whole world has gone awry.  Not even a Christian nation seems to have a clue about living within the Way which offers real peace and joy.  It's My way, the One and Only way, and don't try to change my mind!


Our small world, that is our world locally is doing the best we know how to give of ourselves.  A lot of people are Paying-it-Forward these days.  We can read about this in a special  part of our newspaper. I take my hat off to those who are trying to live unselfishly.  It is a good idea and some seem to be thankful for the kindnesses and make offers to Pay-it-Forward themselves.


With the Lord moving within us, think about the goodness we could bring. What if we as individual Christians showed how we could change our own world by being kind in Christ's name to one another. Maybe it would catch on and be repeated within nations.  I hope I am not just blowing steam! But if you are going to dream, you might as well dream big!


Never a worry about where we will be when we die; just hopeful about how we might live! I'm going to call it The Front and make it a peaceful, kind, giving of myself Front in my daily walk, at the grocery store, at the doctor's office, in the park and in my household...kindness and gifting will prevail!


Are you with me?


Jo in MN,  for helping the USA. and the rest of the World know Jesus!