On Track

Read: Colossians 1:9-14

Hudson was working on his electric train set when Dad joined him in the basement. “How’s the train project coming along?” he asked.

“Good!” said Hudson. “It’s almost ready to run.”

"All right!” said Dad. “And how was school today?”

Hudson frowned. “I got in trouble for coming in late from recess again, and Miss Cooley gave me extra math homework because I didn’t do the homework she assigned yesterday.” He sighed. “Everyone’s always on my case—I wish I could just do whatever I wanted, like you and Mom.”

“Hmm,” said Dad. “Well, Hudson, let’s see how your train runs.” He reached over and pressed the start button, and the train began moving.

“Wait! What are you doing? I don’t have all the tracks down yet!” exclaimed Hudson. “It’s gonna crash!” As he spoke, the train rounded the turn and rolled off the track, falling on its side. Hudson sighed. “I knew that would happen.”

“So the train needs the tracks,” said Dad. “Otherwise it doesn’t get where it’s supposed to go, right?”

Hudson nodded. “Yeah.”

“Well, God’s path for your life is like those tracks,” said Dad. “He sent Jesus to die for you so you could have a relationship with Him for all eternity, and He is patiently building your character and shaping you to be more like Jesus so others can see His love in you. He does that for each one of His children, but when we insist on doing things our own way and disobey the people He puts in our lives to help us learn, we get off track. When that happens, we need to ask Him to forgive us and set us right again.”

Dad picked up the train and set it back on the track. “It may seem like Mom and I can do whatever we want because we’re adults, but that’s not true. We’re just farther down our life track than you are and have already learned many of the things God is still teaching you—like responsibility. But we still need His guidance and forgiveness just as much as you do.”

“Okay, Dad,” Hudson said as he put another piece of the track in place. “I’ll trust God to help me stay on track.”

–Michael R. Chapman

How about you? Do you get tired of people telling you what to do? Do you ever wish you could do whatever you wanted? Remember that God has placed people in your life to teach you what He wants you to learn. As you get older, you’ll have more freedom in making choices, but you’ll have more responsibilities too. That’s why you need to depend on God to help you stay on track. Trust Him to lead you along life’s path in the way He wants you to go.

Today's Key Verse: That you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:10

Today's Key Thought: Trust God's path for your life