My spouse has never been enamored with train travel. It is probably due to some bad experiences traveling to and from college by train. I, however, love traveling the rails. There is something soothing to me about the rocking, the repetitive noises and the ability to stroll from one end of the train to the other. Often, I have gotten acquainted with other people and found out a little about them and what they hope to do on this trip – visit an old friend, attend a memorial service, see a new place. If I want to, I can read a book or work on a sermon. If the mood strikes me, I can go to the club car and enjoy a beverage or a sandwich.

One of the things about Urbandale United Church of Christ that we value is the notion that we are a community of spiritual pilgrims. We understand our lives individually and corporately as having a path or an evolution that brings us closer and closer to what God wants for us. There is never a time in this life when we “have arrived,” or are perfected. We also strive to invite others to join with us in this common endeavor of discovering God and discovering who we are in God’s family. So we encourage one another to cultivate our gifts and our understanding. We share our experiences of faith and we confess our frustrations in trying to live faithfully.
We keep working, and struggling, and engaging with the world so that our faith is both challenged and strengthened.

As you look back on the road that has brought you to where you are in life, and as you look forward to the road ahead, where do you see God putting experiences in place that are bringing you to the place God has for you to be? Who is on this trip with you? How do you help each other on the way? Make the most of the time you have on the rails.

Pastor Dave

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