The Polar Express

Tom Hanks' latest movie, The Polar Express, portrays the Christmas eve saga of a young boy who rides The Polar Express to the North Pole to see Santa Claus. When the train comes to a stop outside his home, the boy is awakened by the noise and the clatter. He comes downstairs and opens the door. The conductor beckons him to board the train and the boy, after much thought, hesitatingly climbs aboard. The trip to the North Pole is not without its challenges. The train hurtles down a steep hill, out of control. It finds itself on a frozen lake and is almost swallowed up by the icy waters as the ice cracks underneath the weight of the train. Finally, the train arrives at its destination. The boy sees thousands of elves waiting for the man of the hour to appear. With much fan fare Santa makes his appearance and the waiting audience is enthralled.

"Life is Like a Mountain Railroad" is an old gospel song that's not sung much anymore. It likens our Christian pilgrimage to a train ride. Many hesitate to get on the "Good Old Gospel Ship" (or train). They have their lame excuses, their reasons. Some choose to follow Christ and begin the ride "home". The journey is fraught with detours, washouts, storm clouds and other circumstances that we never counted on. But the conductor, Jesus Christ, has promised to ride with us to the journey's end and He will never forsake us. When we get to our destination we will be welcomed by the King of Glory, the One who paid the fare for our heavenly trip, the Savior who sacrificed His life so we could be forgiven. What an entrance that will be when we see Him face to face and are welcomed "home"! Have you boarded the train or are you waiting for a "more convenient time"? Climb aboard for the ride of your life! "It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus."

Your ticket has already been paid for . . . at Calvary!