Ticket To Life

There’s a story told about Albert Einstein, the world famous physicist best known for his theory of relativity, on a train journey. The ticket inspector entered the carriage and approached Mr Einstein. “Can I see your ticket please?” He asked politely. The physicist began fumbling though his pockets searching for his ticket, becoming more and more flustered as he was unable to find it.

The inspector then recognised the face of the man he was addressing and smiled. “Ah, Mr Einstein,” he said. “I know who you are; the famous scientist. Forgive me. I don’t need to see your ticket. Relax and enjoy your journey. I won’t trouble you again.” He continued on his way, systematically checking the passengers’ tickets.

A short time later, having completed his round, the inspector returned through the carriage and was surprised to see Albert Einstein on his hands and knees on the floor with his head under a seat.

The inspector went up to him. “Excuse me, sir,” he said. “There’s no need to find your ticket for me now. I recognized you from your picture in the newspapers. Don’t worry about it. Please sit down and don’t give it another thought.”

“But you don’t understand,” said Einstein, almost in a panic. “I’m not looking for my ticket for your benefit, but for mine. - I don’t know where I’m going”.

I wonder if you know where you’re going. Most people seem so preoccupied with their own problems and their ways of coping with life that they are oblivious to where they’re heading.

Do you have a ticket? Or are you groping around in the dark trying to find that which was lost? Do we even know what we’re looking for?

Man had the perfect relationship with God in the garden before sin entered and it all went wrong. Disobedience destroyed a life of eternal fellowship with God, and the result is the sorry state of this world we live in, where we’re desperately searching for a treasure we can’t find, so we can gain some kind of satisfaction or fulfilment. It’s life itself, in its perfect outworking as God intended, that everyone is looking for.

‘Those who find me find life’ (Proverbs 8:35). The answer is not a ticket, or a treasure, but the person of Jesus Christ. He tells us in John 14:6: ‘I am the way... and the life.’ Not just life, but ‘I come that you might have life… abundantly’ (John 10:10). And even more that that: ‘Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life’ (John 3:36).

Prayer: Lord, You know I struggle to find the way through the problems of my life. But You are the way. I choose now to lay down my anxieties and take strength from Your promises. You’ll never leave me nor forsake me, and You’re with me always. Thank You Jesus. Amen.