In the Coal Car
I was recently given an opportunity that, as a history buff, I’m glad I took. One of the other men at church works at the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke, and he graciously offered to give me a private tour on a day when visitors would be slim. I spent the morning getting up close and personal with various vehicles from throughout American history – everything from an 1890s steam engine to one of the first “professional” racecars to a standard semi-truck from the ‘70s, plus a visual guide to the history of aviation. If you’re ever in the Roanoke area and interested in either history, trains, or cars, I highly recommend giving this museum a visit. (I can tell you who to ask for if you want a very informed Christian perspective on some of what you’ll see while there.)
Probably the most impressive thing I saw was the coal car and boiler of a 1910s engine. I was genuinely blown away by how many knobs and levers there were on and around the boiler, all of which were essential to keeping the train moving and the boiler pressure balanced. Even more astounding was the fact that, while there would typically be two people in the car while the train was in motion, one of them was given the sole task of shoveling the right amount of coal into the boiler to keep the fire going. That means that ALL of those knobs and levers were the responsibility of one engineer, who would have to keep up with everything for as long as the train took to reach his destination. When I asked my guide how that was possible, he gave me a succinct answer: “Skill on his part, coordination on theirs.”
There are times – actually, this describes most of the time – when life feels too complicated to keep up with. I have to keep up with my faith, my family, my friends, my responsibilities at work, my health, the house, the car, the financials – and that’s just me! I can only imagine how many more layers are added on when a spouse and children enter the mix. It often feels like there is just too much going on, and that I am letting something slip through the cracks. Even if that something isn’t my faith, it is difficult to be met with the seemingly insurmountable task of life and not find a priority that I feel should be higher than it usually is.
In those moments, it has become helpful to me to remember who is the engineer and who is the coalman. If I were to try to keep all of those knobs and levers in check AND keep the fire going by myself, there’s no way I’m reaching my goal. Even if I didn’t have a fire to worry about, I’m probably not going to have the skills or knowledge required to keep up with everything else. Thankfully, by the grace of God, I am joined by a Friend who does, in fact, have the skill necessary to keep everything going as it should. That doesn’t mean that there won’t be problems and unfortunate situations that need to be addressed on our journey. It does mean that as long as I trust Him, the pressure of my life will be kept in balance, and all the things that I spend too much time worrying about now will work out according to His plan.
So as the coalman, what’s my job? I never quit working, I keep as a steady pace as I can, and with the help and guidance of the Engineer, we keep the fire going together.
“‘Therefore do not be anxious, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.’” ~ Matthew 6:31-33
AUTHOR: Luke Tatum
