597. Don’t Miss The Train

“We went to the airport last night,” Stan began, “to pick up some people who were coming for a visit.  Good friends we haven’t seen for a long time.”

“That’s nice,” I replied.  “How are they?”

“They weren’t at the airport,” Stan replied.  “When the plane came and everyone got off, they didn’t.”

“What happened?” I asked.

“While we were wondering the same thing,” Stan replied, “a text message showed up.  It had been sent a few hours before, but, for some reason, it got delayed in cyberspace.  It said they had missed the flight.”

“What a disappointment that must have been,” I said.

“Big time,” Stan replied.  “So far they haven’t been able to re-book, but we are hopeful.”

Continuing, he said, “This whole thing brought to my mind how disappointing it will be when I’m waiting in heaven for the train to arrive and certain people aren’t on it because they missed it, and there won’t be another one for them.”

“Won’t be another one for them?” I replied.  “In what sense?  That it’s the last one available because the end has come?”

“Could be that,” Stan said, “or as simple as the fact their time on this side of eternity came to an end and they didn’t have a ticket for the train to glory.”

“Heavy subject, Stan,” I replied.

“Heavy, indeed,” he responded.  “But it’s true.  Everyone is going to go one direction or the other when their time here is over.  The only question is which direction.  That’s why I spend so much of my time trying to make certain people have a ticket and they know what the ticket means.”

Concluding, he said, “It’s a fact one day there will be a last day for each one of us.  I want to be as sure as I can while I’m waiting in heaven for everyone to get off the train that I won’t be disappointed because certain people have missed it.”

_________________________________________

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing any to perish but for all to come to repentance.  2 Peter 3:9.

Prayer:  Thank you, Father, for your provision of life eternally with you when it’s time. All through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Thank you for those who brought me to that truth so I could accept your free gift of salvation.  Thank you, too, for leaving me on this side of eternity to help others come to know and to accept your provision of life eternally with you.  I confess that too often I do not do all I can to help make certain others have the same assurance of salvation I do.  Please forgive me.  And please, Father, help me in following every step of your lead in doing all I can to bring others to  the truth of life eternally with you when it’s time, as well as the eternal life of knowing you on this side of eternity.  Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

Think on this:  Are you all set to be in God’s eternal presence when it’s time?  If not, why?  Also, if not, do you know how to have that assurance?   If you already are set for stepping into eternity to be with God, are there people you know who are not?  If so, what are you going to do to help them have that assurance?  Do you know people who have gotten on a train, but it’s the one going in the opposite direction?  If so, how does that make you feel about their eternal separation from God?