My car rolled to a stop behind the countless cars in front of me as the railroad crossing signals flashed red and the black and white striped arms lowered to keep cars from advancing. There I sat on a one way street, boxed in by cars on every side of me. It was clear we weren’t moving anytime soon. In an odd and unexpected way, being held up by the train drew me into deeper thought. It felt a bit like a brief break from the world. A break from the hustle and bustle, a break from the movement of the crazy traffic that has become Nashville, and just a few stolen moments for time to feel as if it was somewhat standing still.

My eyes began to glaze over a bit as I stared at the train cars passing by. I was stuck. I was not going anywhere, even if I wanted to. All I could do was sit and wait for the train to slide down the tracks only to leave an opening for me to move forward once again.

There are times when God allows this in our lives so we might grow in virtue and character. Sometimes He asks us to sit still for awhile and wait for the train to pass by. As I picture this in my mind I see myself trying to run ahead and pave the way on my own. I see myself racing down the road, concerned more about speed than ‘right timing’ and all the while I’m just stringing God along with me.

Perhaps He had gently placed the train in my path so He could catch up to me and lovingly reach out to grab my Hand again and ask me to go with Him, rather than the other way around.

Sometimes I forget who is in charge of my life. I tend to forget God has already written my story. Today as I sat behind those railroad tracks I was reminded I must allow for the author of my life’s story to fulfill what He’s already written for me, even if it requires a little more waiting for the train to pass by.