On my journeys back and forth, I often see trains, more than I used to I think. My bride always looks askance when, if they are close, I roll down the window of my car to hear the "whistle" when they cross a road. I wish I could have one of those "horns" on my car. Can't imagine the excitement when someone tries to "cut me off" when traffic is heavy. (Of course I would never do that. . .)

A couple of times I have seen trains that, for whatever reason, have left the track and attempted (seemingly) to cross a field. Little to no progress is the outcome. In some ways our Spiritual life is like that. There is a track that God has designed for each of us, often peculiar in our thinking, but always knowing what is best, He has given us a way to become all that He has chosen for us to be...and know.

It is when we get "off track" that things tend to go downhill rather rapidly. Let me share a few examples of how I have seen "off track" behavior in my life and that of others. I am convinced that clear, frequent (see 1 Thessalonians 5;17), intimate communication with God is absolutely mandatory. The Truth we must have to navigate our society, our journey, our World, is contained within His Word (the Bible), and spending quality time pursuing it is a daily activity without which we lose our grip on the "track." I know, without a doubt, that our Father will never leave us or forsake us, but we also have each other (Believers) who are specifically challenged to never be far apart, but gathered regularly to teach, encourage, support, care, and llove one another. Without that the fires of faith burn lower and lower until we lose all sight of  our collective "calling" in Christ.

I am never surprise when I meet Believers who are weak, discouraged, damaged, struggling, and sometimes helpless, just because they are "off track." The Locomotive that pulls the seemingly endless train (when you are waiting at a crossing and in a hurry) is powerful at its job only when it is "on track." Take that away, and it's useless in that for which it was designed.  Absolutely useless.