Get On Board And Stay On The Train

I was running late today, so my commuter train was already pulling into the station by the time Mr. Mo was nearing my stop in our car. He decided to try to race it to the next stop [kids, don’t try this at home!]. In the end, I did make it on board – barely – but not without breaking several traffic and safety rules (like running across the intersection, risking life and limb…).

 

Yikes! Not smart.

I was glad that I didn’t have to wait for the next train and risk being late to my important meeting at work! But, I felt ashamed for my recklessness.

Note to self: Leave the house earlier, arrive on time, and get on the train safe & secure!

I realized in my haste to get on board, I had not scanned by pass. I thought to myself “No problem! I can just jump off at the next stop, scan the pass, and jump on again – why not?” You may guess how that brilliant idea turned out.

Note to self: Once on board the train, STAY on the train!

Over twenty minutes later, as I was riding along – on the next train – now running late for my important meeting and feeling stressed out, completely frustrated [and humbled] one of my favorite Gospel Spirituals I sing with the Choir came into my mind called “The Gospel Train” . I thought to myself “OK. There’s a message in all of this,” and sure enough, there was a very applicable parable told about a train in General Conference.

Of course, I had to share it with you.

STAY ON THE TRAIN

“Many of us take the blessings of the gospel for granted. It is as if we are passengers on the train of the Church, which has been moving forward gradually and methodically. Sometimes we have looked out the window and thought, “That looks kind of fun out there. This train is so restrictive.” So we have jumped off and gone and played in the woods for a while. Sooner or later, we find it isn’t as much fun as Satan makes it appear or we get critically injured, so we work our way back to the tracks and see the train ahead. With a determined sprint we catch up to it, breathlessly wipe the perspiration from our forehead, and thank the Lord for repentance.

“While on the train, we can see the world and some of our own members outside laughing and having a great time. They taunt us and coax us to get off. Some throw logs and rocks on the tracks to try and derail it. Other members run alongside the tracks, and while they may never go play in the woods, they just can’t seem to get on the train. Others try to run ahead and too often take the wrong turn.

“I would propose that the luxury of getting on and off the train as we please is fading. The speed of the train is increasing. The woods are getting much too dangerous, and the fog and darkness are moving in.

“Although our detractors might as well “stretch forth [their] puny arm[s] to stop the Missouri river in its decreed course, or to turn it up stream” (D&C 121:33) and try to derail this train, they are occasionally successful in coaxing individuals off. With all the prophecies we have seen fulfilled, what great event are we awaiting prior to saying, “Count me in”? What more do we need to see or experience before we get on the train and stay on it until we reach our destination?”

– Elder Glen L. Pace, Stay On The Train, October 1992

Watch the inspiring messages of General Conference! Coming March 28, and April 4-5, 2015. (I’ll be singing!) Get all free viewing info at this handy link

THE GOSPEL TRAIN

The Gospel Train – Traditional African-American Spiritual

The Gospel train’s comin’
I hear it just at hand
I hear the car wheel rumblin’
And rollin’ thro’ the land

Get on board little children
Get on board little children
Get on board little children
There’s room for many more

I hear the train a-comin’
She’s comin’ round the curve
She’s loosened all her steam and brakes
And strainin’ ev’ry nerve

The fare is cheap and all can go
The rich and poor are there
No second class aboard this train
No difference in the fare

Get on board little children
Get on board little children
Get on board little children
There’s room for many more