1. Ensuring that the train follows applicable safety rules and practices
2. Making sure that the train stays on schedule starting from the stations
3. Opening and closing power-operated doors
4. Selling and checking tickets and other customer service duties
5. Ensuring that any cars and cargo are picked up and dropped off properly
6. Completing in-route paperwork
7. Directing the trains’ movement while operating in reverse
8. Coupling or uncoupling cars
9. Assisting with the setting out or picking up of rolling stock

This is a list of duties of a typical train conductor.

Reading this list I was struck by the image of the Holy Spirit. Look at the list again, but let’s look at applying these principles to the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives

1. Ensuring that the train follows applicable safety rules and practices
     – He sets standards and rules in his rule book, the Bible, for His children to practice to protect them in this dangerous world.
2. Making sure that the train stays on schedule starting from the stations
     – He keeps us moving forward in life, not letting us get stuck in a place for too long where we will not grow or be used by him.
3. Opening and closing power-operated doors
     – He opens up doors to things in our lives that will help or guide us towards Him, but then He closes doors to harmful things that we need to remove from our lives.
4. Selling and checking tickets, and other customer service duties
     – He is always watching over who or what is coming into our lives, making sure they will be good for us and not someone or something that will be harmful in our lives.
5. Ensuring that any cars and cargo are picked up and dropped off properly
     – He helps us deliver things from our lives (experience, knowledge, and wisdom) to others when they need it.
6. Completing in-route paperwork
     – He keeps a record of everything we are doing or will do in the future and wants to be a part of every step we take.
7. Directing the trains’ movement while operating in reverse
     – He knows the direction and choices we will make, and is there to help guide us even when we can’t clearly see where we are going.
8. Coupling or uncoupling cars
     – He may lead us to add and remove things in our lives that seem important, but in truth they may or may not be the best for us.
9. Assisting with the setting out or picking up of rolling stock
     – He prepares us for the big events or struggles that will come into our lives, by helping us grow through little steps of life first.

Now, is every single one of these ideas perfect? No, but I think you get what I am trying to say. The conductor of our lives is the Holy Spirit. He is always with us, as believers in Christ, and He desires to help us in our lives. He knows that there are things in this world that could be harmful to us, so He protects us from them. He also knows that there will be times we need someone or something to help us grow in our faith, so He ensures we have those added to our train.

Then… probably one of the hardest parts… is when He convicts us to remove something in our lives that is no long prudent to keep. It may be something small, like a package, or it could be a person, or even an entire train car (family, home church, etc.), but we need to be willing to take His advice and remove those things. It may forever change our train, but when or where He leads is always the best for our lives.

Respect the position of the Conductor of your life. He only wants to love you and help you on your walk through the Christian life.