Trains and Steps of Faith

Those who have traveled to Europe or parts of Asia are likely familiar with the thrill and excitement of train trips. It’s one of the better ways to explore a new country, as you can see and experience more of the place and culture. Sometimes you get on at a station and there are already others who have been on the journey longer than you have. Other times you get off at a station, while others continue their journey. Eventually, we all arrive where we are supposed to.

In the last many years, I have come to embrace train trips as a fitting analogy of serving in ministry. A parish is like a train, with Jesus as the driver, on its way to the Heavenly City. We clergy serve as conductors, helping passengers reachthat Heavenly City. Sometimes we travel with you to many stations, sometimes just a few. 

But now, it’s my turn to step off the St. Martin’s train. God has called me to serve in a new parish and I will miss serving with and amongst you all. Not only am I thankful for the welcome, fellowship and friendship, but I am also thankful for the lessons I have learned amongst you. St. Martin’s in an incredibly welcoming and friendly community. I am sad to leave, but excited for what the future holds. This is a step of faith.

Behind the pulpit is a plaque that reads, “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” (I Corinthians 2:2) The plaque reminds us that Paul’s focus, while he ministered to the Corinthians, was not himself, but rather that Christ would be exalted in all that he said and did. Elsewhere Paul says, “I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord … I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him ... I want to know Christ.” (Philippians 3:8-9)

Can you imagine having this kind of faith in Christ, where we see the magnificence of our worldly goods/situations, but still find them lacking in light of the surpassing joy of knowing Jesus?

Knowing Jesus Christ and Him crucified is the goal of our Christian lives, but we cannot know Jesus intimately when we do not step out in faith. We cannot know Jesus deeply when we aren’t willing to experience the adventure and risk that comes from picking up our crosses and following Him.

Recently, a mentor reminded me that all the great heroes of the faith stepped out of their places of comfort. Abraham left Ur, Moses left Pharaoh’s palace, David left the vale and even Jesus left heaven. God designs it such, so that we rely not upon ourselves but upon Him who has prepared good works for us to walk in (Postcommunion Prayer, the Book of Common Prayer, pg. 339, referencing Ephesians 2:10).

As we make our way to the Heavenly City, may we all be willing to travel with Christ to those special places of faith. There, we will find, know and experience Him more deeply and truly.