Ramblings on the Rails....

Traveling by train provides ample scenes for reflection and contemplation. Exiting a conference, where numerous conversations took place, the train ride became a valuable time for introspection.

And then, I noticed it – a goods carriage securely locked with a robust padlock, not just one but three, with an additional metal wire holding them together. Below, there was yet another lock, unseen in the picture, reinforcing the security.

This sight brought to mind two distinct conversations. One was with a friend passionate about something but hesitant to reveal it, fearing it might not unfold as desired. The other individual feared that their uncontrolled passion might inadvertently hurt others, leading to the constant act of locking it away, albeit with occasional leaks.

Isn't this a common experience for many, including myself? The first lock represents behaviors stemming from preconceived ideas, notions, and perceptions, aimed at safeguarding the heart. Underpinning this is the second lock of belief, emerging from core beliefs that people generally do not change, and interactions might lead to personal hurt. This belief, in turn, is fortified by a third lock, a worldview that accepts this as the harsh reality. Despite the deep-rooted knowledge that God can bring about change and that hurt is essential for growth, living it out remains a challenge. The fourth lock, influenced by peers and past experiences, acts as a deterrent, urging us to keep the lock closed, fearing potential pain. 

However, as Henry Nouwen reminds us, "Nobody escapes being wounded. We all are wounded people." True service arises from a heart wounded by the suffering we speak about. And we follow a "Wounded Healer"!

 

Then, I saw yellow fields emitting smoke – stubble burning, often blamed by urbanites for city

pollution and attributed to the plight of poor farmers. The challenges the farmer must endure each season to ensure a good harvest became evident. The fire, the smoke, the digging, and cleaning are all part of the process, akin to the challenges in our lives. Burning the stubbles of the past is essential for progress, alongside unlocking the heart to allow it to soar freely, though it might be painful. 

 

The image of a lone farmer in the grey fields, undergoing the stubble burning, longing for the new season, was thought-provoking. It exemplifies the necessity of consistent hard work, sowing, waiting, and reaping – a cycle of life with no instant gratification, but the enduring effort to make it happen year after year. Learning the "long obedience in the same direction" from the agrarian community seems crucial for personal growth after the pain.

The night on the train brought another layer to the reflection. A one-year-old girl, initially entertaining everyone, started wailing when night fell. After the father's failed attempt, the mother tirelessly walked the corridors from 11:00 PM to 2:00 AM, consoling and putting her to sleep after four hours of struggle. 

A powerful image reminiscent of God as our father and mother, saying, "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you." A God who journey's with us...

 

An invitation, perhaps, to break open the locks of our hearts and walk with this God, who invites us to embark on such a journey.