A friend of mine, Christophe, had every little boy’s dream job–he drove trains through the beautiful Alsatian region of France.

I say, “dream job,” but I’m not sure that’s what every little boy dreams of doing these days. Judging from my grandkids, they probably dream of killing three-headed monsters in space castles. It’s good work if you can get it.

One night, as Christophe piloted his speeding train through the countryside, the train’s headlight illuminated something on the track ahead. He reacted speedily and halted his fast-moving monster just yards before it ran over a desperate young man who stood on the tracks.

The man had planned his suicide and my friend was to be the unknowing executioner. But, Christophe was awake at his post and his quick reaction saved a man’s life. We hear about engineers impaired by drugs and alcohol who cause wrecks and many people die.

But, one man owes his life to the fact that Christophe was alert and doing his best.

We Owe Our Life

Someone else saved you and me from an eternal train wreck.

“Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.  All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.

“But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) … God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.  Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2, New Living Translation).

That train of God’s righteous judgement hurtled towards us. We stood on the tracks guilty and condemned, awaiting the execution of the sentence. The verdict meant eternal death, a horrible conscious separation from God, originally prepared for the devil. But he will be joined by all those who don’t want God’s Lordship in their lives.

Yet, what’s that? Someone standing between the train and you and me. It’s Jesus and He paid the price that justice demanded because of our sins. The train smashed into him instead of us.

Now, He offers forgiveness of sin, a new clean heart before God, and fulfilling life that goes on forever to whoever comes to Him. Pray. Ask forgiveness. Turn away from that life that’s heading for a crash with divine justice. Put your faith in the Lord Jesus. Trust and serve Him.

Escape the train wreck and live!

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Hmmm …

“Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life” (Proverbs 4:23 NCV).

“Do you want to be happy tomorrow? Then sow seeds of happiness today. Count blessings. Memorize Bible verses. Pray. Sing hymns. Spend time encouraging people. Do you want to guarantee tomorrow’s misery? Then wallow in a mental mud pit of self-pity or guilt or anxiety today. Assume the worst. Beat yourself up. Rehearse your regrets. Complain to complainers.

“Thoughts have consequences. Healing from anxiety requires healthy thinking.” Max Lucado in Anxious for Nothing