People Get Ready

It seems that we are continually preparing ourselves for one thing or another.  This season of Lent itself, is a time of preparation.  As we reflect on our lives, we examine the things we could be better at, whether it is loving more, wanting less, giving up or giving out, it is a period of preparing our hearts to receive the gift of Christ’s Passion we’ll experience in a just a few weeks.

“People get ready
there’s a train a-comin’
You don’t need no baggage
You just get onboard”

I was aware of this song through a few different artists.  Our friend from yesterday, Bob Marley, samples phrases in his well-known “One Love”.   Aretha Franklin, and even Rod Stewart have recorded this song, originally written by Curtis Mayfield and laid down by the Impressions in 1965.  But this slow version by the Chambers Brothers, with a beat that almost allows you to hear the train coming slowly down the tracks, is my favorite.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-MrTaXpy0w

The phrase “You don’t need no baggage” is especially appropriate for we humans.  We carry a lot of it.  The amount of stuff we haul around in our heads and our hearts which block our ability to be blessed is myriad.  The implication that we can join this adventure with our haunts behind us, fears set aside, is an encouraging one.  Jesus offers us an opportunity to let it all go.

“ ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.’ ” (Matthew 11:28)

However, there is this section of the song that lends itself to the more exclusionary.  The messages of judgment and condemnation appear throughout the Christian lexicon and too often become the focus of our dialogue.  We have this innate desire, like the Pharisee, to show how we are somehow better than others, or at least not as bad as them, and deserve a seat.

“There ain't no room
for the hopeless sinner
who would hurt all mankind
Just to save his own 

Have pity on those
whose chances grow thinner
For there is no hiding place
against the kingdom’s throne”

But I prefer to focus on this last line in a different way, an alternative to the implication of judgment.  I prefer the message that God is so great, so loving that we can’t hide from His grace.  A friend of mine says, “You can’t out-sin God’s love for you.”  Taken this way, there is a spot for everyone on this train.  His forgiveness is the ticket.

Imagine that you are at this eternal train station, a whole mess of bags in tow.   You’ve been lugging them around for what seems like forever.  Your back hurts, your arms ache with their weight.  You’re pretty sure you’ve “earned” your ticket for this train, but the lies of the world have pounded unworthiness into your spirit.  As the train slowly comes to a stop in front of you, the Conductor reaches out His hand.  Smiling, He welcomes you.

“All you need is faith
to Hear the diesels hummin’
don’t need no ticket
you just thank the Lord”

So, are you ready?  As you step onto the train, leave your bags behind.  Feel the lightness in your soul as you allow someone else, Jesus, to carry the load.  Prepare yourself not by taking on more, adding to the weight, but by letting it go, just get on board.