A first in my life came just a few months ago as I boarded a train with my son for his 7th grade field trip. It was a 4 hour train ride through some of Alaska's beautiful country side. I had never been on a train before so I was looking forward to spending the day with my son and the train ride. That time I spent with my son on the train ride was better than I could have ever imagined and it was great for us to share that experience together.
Many of the kids were having "screen time" with there cell phones and other electronics which was a disappoint to me but that is for another blog in the future.
My son and I passed a number of glaciers on the trip...
Beautiful mountain lakes some the color of glacier blue and others reflecting the sky, mountains and surrounding trees.
Some grand visas of valleys that seem to stretch on and on.
Small streams still surrounded with snow on the valley floor so remote that it made me wonder if anyone had ever walked through the area besides when the rails were laid many years before.
Larger rivers, this one with moose tracks marking the passing of these 1000+ pound animals of the north.
Most of the time the train moved from valley to valley and through mountain passes or tunnels cut through them.
About half way through the trip we were told we would need to begin to climb out of the the valleys to higher altitudes to make our way through the mountains in order to begin its decent to Seward which is a sea level.
In order for the train to do this climb out of the valley the train tracks has been laid in a zig-zag pattern up the mountain side. This system of tracks is sometimes referred to as switchback tracks. The train would have to so down through the number of switchbacks as it climbed its way up from the valley floor to the higher mountain passes.
As David and I silently watched the climb and the scenery go by I realized for the first time that I could see the front of the train and where the engine was taking us and at the same time look back to where we had been and seeing the caboose of the train.
Switchback after switchback we slowly made our way to the top. It was slow progress to the top and if you were in a hurry you would not likely enjoy the ride. Life though is full of switchbacks. It is good to slow down and look back from where we came from but not dwell in the past. It is also good to look ahead and see where we are heading.
In this area there was only one set of tracks we could take but in life there are many crossroads and ways to veer off in different directions. Some of those ways lead to dead ends. Other turnoffs or sets of connecting track lead into bad areas or dangerous places that we should avoid. Still other tracks can take us toward new adventures. It is good to keep our eyes looking ahead and seeing where the tacks we are on are taking us.
Ultimately though never forget as a person of faith in Jesus that your track that Jesus laid for you through the cross will take you to a different place. Remember the words of Paul:
We are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord.
We live by faith, not by sight.
Enjoy the switchbacks of life
Enjoy the journey
Enjoy knowing where your destination is and who has laid it out for you
Enjoy the fact you do not travel alone...ever!
For Jesus is with you always.
