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    Orange Ca  92866
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“All Aboard!”

Posted by Family Ministries on with 3 Comments

So, I would never call myself a history buff, but by being married to one for 17 years I could say I've learned more than I did in high school.  Over the years I have watched countless documentaries and visited many museums, all focused on history.  Much to my surprise, one of the things I have really enjoyed learning about is the building of the Transcontinental Railroad.  Maybe it’s because it is crazy to me to imagine the execution of this enormous task with nothing more than an idea & grit.  

Working from two different parts of the country, the Pacific Coast and the Midwest, the railroad companies began to build, all along knowing that they would meet somewhere in the middle. Who does that? Only someone with a dream and a hope for a future.  Sound familiar?

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11

People from all over the world came to lay hand in this dream becoming a reality. They came to lay a piece of this massive puzzle.  They worked and worked, never knowing the person on the other side doing the same job. Through blood, sweat and tears they prepped foundation, blasted through rock, laid track and rails… many died, and many lived, to see the competition. 

Maybe it’s because as I type this I’m siting in a comfortable, air-conditioned Metrolink train car, sitting here in my padded seat at 5:30 in the morning, I started to thinking about an idea.  The idea of being a part of something with lasting impact.  This idea led me to a prayer of thankfulness for those who labored before me.   

 “They will not labor in vain, nor will they bear children doomed to misfortune; for they will be a people blessed by the Lord, they and their descendants with them.” Isaiah 65:23

With a mind and heart set in the Easter season, I thought of the early, first believers.  I thought of those that wept and washed Jesus' feet with tears; those who denied and then repented; those who disbelieved until they touched His nail-pierced hands; those who were persecuted.  They all seemed like nothing more than lowly fishermen, shepherds, and housewives.  But, they all worked on their end of history.  As we journey to the cross, I think we meet not only Jesus there, I think we meet these early disciples of Christ, too. They worked on their end, just as we work on ours...meeting at the Cross. 

As we journey to the cross, I think we meet not only Jesus there, I think we meet these early disciples of Christ, too.

Looking at it from God’s perspective, He’s been working towards us all this time.  So, as we chug along this month, let’s remember the work still to do but also have thankful hearts for so much that has already been done.  1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

May you have the Gladness of Easter, which is HOPE. 

May you have the Promise of Easter, which is PEACE.

May you have the Spirit of Easter, which is LOVE.

~ Irma Bates
Early Childhood Ministries Coordinator

 

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Comments

Lara Kaufman April 13, 2017 5:09pm

I love this picture of faith Irma! Thank you!

Anonymous April 13, 2017 10:05pm

Love this.

B. Keith Haney April 14, 2017 8:57pm

Great post. I love the picture. it really fits the message.