The Train of Choices

   Imagine you are walking down the street. Suddenly you look over and see a train blowing its whistle. Down the tracks you see a car that has crashed on the tracks. The family in the car seems to be safe but they cannot get out because the doors are jammed.
   You look over at a different set of tracks and see a construction worker working on the track. Then you turn your head and see a track switch. If you do not pull the lever then the family will be killed. But, if you do pull the lever, the construction worker will be killed.
   A millions thoughts rush through your mind. You try to yell to the construction worker but he doesn't hear you. You think, "is it God's will that the family dies? Should I just step back? Or, should I save the family and let the one construction worker die?" In a split second you pull the switch.
You continue to yell, but the worker doesn't hear you. The train is closer now and it is just about to pass you. Suddenly you realize that the worker is someone close to you (friend, family member, etc.). You frantically look at the switch. You still have time to pull it and save your loved one, but then the family would die. What do you do?
   I first heard about this story in my philosophy class. My professor posed these questions to us. Obviously this exact situation may not happen in real life, but what if something like it happened? What if a new family came to church and then a terrorist group came in. Then they gave you the option of choosing between your family member's death or that new family. You have no idea if that family is saved. Hopefully you know if your family member is saved. What would you do?
   Here's the moral of the story. Talk with your family to make sure you know they are saved. Even if you know they are saved, talk about what you would do if something like this would happen (maybe not with little kids). It will be a difficult conversation but we have a calling. Once we became Christians we were called to follow the Great Commission. We know where our family members are going but we do not know for sure where others are going. It is our job to make sure that everyone knows the word of the Gospel. That way, if this situation ever does happen, we can say with confidence I know where I am going and where my family is going. Then we will be with God in Heaven.
   So what would you have done if you were in that situation? Will you take it upon yourself to talk with your family about what you would do in this situation? Will you follow the Great Commission and spread the good news so that none will perish?

   Matthew 28:16-20, John 14:6, Proverbs 3:5
   Image from here.