An Amtrak Lockout!

This past Wednesday morning a number of commuters arrived at the Lancaster train station shortly after 5:00, only to find the doors to the station locked. As the crowd of would-be train travelers grew, so did the frustration at the inability to get into the station. Eventually, the crowd was ushered into a side entrance by some construction workers. The commuters' relief at finally being able to get in was quickly replaced by anger when they realized that the door at the top of the steps that led to the train platform was pad locked with a metal bar. Not wanting to miss the incoming train for Philadelphia, the crowd pushed on the door until the bar snapped. They all made the train ... but were not happy about the experience. When contacted about the fiasco, an Amtrak spokesperson blamed it all on "a scheduling error."

All this brought to mind the story Jesus tells in Matthew 25 about the ten bridesmaids. Five were wise and five were foolish. They all took their lamps and were waiting for the late night arrival of the bridegroom. The five wise bridesmaids each took a flask containing extra oil. When the bridegroom was delayed and did not arrive until midnight, the five foolish bridesmaids found that their lamps were going out. They asked to borrow some extra oil from the five wise women but were turned away. The wise bridemaids did not have enough to fuel their own lamps and loan some to the others. So while the five foolish bridesmaids went off to purchase the needed oil, the bridegroom arrived and took the five wise bridesmaids with him to the marriage feast. When the other five returned, they found the door locked. When they knocked and asked for admittance, they were refused (see Matthew 25:1-13).

I hope and pray that all of you who read this ... will not be refused entrance when the King of kings returns to establish his eternal Kingdom. If you are wondering how one makes sure he is ready ... please read this. Your eternal destination is on the line!

Thanks for stopping by . . .
pj