Trains and other important stuff

I haven't blogged for a while, but I'm feeling that this could again become a place for sensible consolidation of broader thoughts I have from time to time.

For today my thoughts are focused on trains, and in particular, train infrastructure, while hoping to explore some gospel implications.

I like trains a lot. I spent six years on trains to and from school, then five years on the train and bus to and from University and then years on trains in the workforce.

Every country I have lived in or visited that had one, I have used the local train system.

In my home city I have for many years been a passionate advocate for additional train infrastructure.  For years I wanted to be Minister for Transport.  I wanted to improve people's lives by making work, education and healthcare closer to home, spreading economic development and opportunity.

So the current NSW election is something I'm following perhaps too closely.
A new train line is in final testing, the next stages are being tunnelled, with five whopping big tunnelling machines in the ground, and the next line will likely commence next year. Very exciting!
Add to that the light rail network, and upgrades to rural services and there's almost something for almost everyone. This hasn't happened before on this scale in my lifetime.

But there's a reason why I am not still involved in NSW politics.

Because though a train line is one of the most permanent ways to improve a city's livability and capacity, it isn't going to make a permanent difference. Just like any other innovation, people incorporate the added convenience into their day, and then wait for the next big thing. As good as it is, the train line doesn't make people live forever.

My family are currently living overseas in a country that has lots of trains. So many types of trains, Metros, Slow Trains, faster Trains, and High Speed Rail too. So many trains that the domestic airline industry shrunk significantly. But these nice things don't make problems disappear.

But as you could probably guess, the people here don't need me to come help make train systems work, or even to run demand projections on new lines (as fun as that would be). They have people from amongst themselves able to do that.
A Christian hopefully builds a safe train line and acts diligently and ethically in making planning decisions. They may even bring order out of the chaos of local traffic redirected by a well designed network, or a brilliantly engineered design, but due to common grace these things though good are possible to much of humanity.

The Bible tells us that humans have been building beautiful and functional things since Creation itself, and we will continue to do so. These things are good, but can also be cover for spiritual problems.

So instead, I'm learning Chinese. Hoping to bring the words of eternal life to the people of Taiwan, to make friends with our neighbours, to love and care for them, and though the administrative gifts given to help my organisation run more effectively.

Because whether you like Trains or not, whether you think the Metro is excellent or a waste of money, this is and can only ever be a secondary issue. I would much rather know you, and where possible help you and others know Jesus.

To help the people of Taiwan know Jesus, I need to work hard learning to speak with them, relate to them and understand their life and culture.

Please pray that we do that well.