Dollywood, Trains, and the Holy Spirit
Trains are fascinating. Every trip to Dollywood always includes a ride on the retired World War II–era train that runs on coal and allows you to see the park. There is no sneaking up on someone when you are on the train. The presence of the train is evident before its arrival. The smell in the air, the vibrations in the ground. The onlookers likely will press their hands to their ears because the whistle is such a powerful demonstration of force up close that it demands your attention and response.
There is something majestic about being in the presence of something so powerful. It doesn’t matter what ride you are waiting in line for or what musical show is performing. When you hear the sound of the train coming and when you feel the vibrations in your bones, you know that everything is about to be interrupted. The train blows the whistle, and all you can do is respond.
Spectators turn toward the train. Singers have to yield themselves to the presence and power of the train. All sorts of business as usual is put on hold to allow for the presence of the train. The park doesn’t resist the train. It embraces it. They tell people that what separates their theme park from others is the presence of the powerful train.
You can parallel the train illustration with the Holy Spirit. How many times have we attended church and not acknowledged the presence and power of God that was in the room?
The Holy Spirit draws our attention away from the problems of life so we can experience His glory. Like the train, the Holy Spirit of God will interrupt the routine and stop us in our tracks. His presence demands our attention and reverence. We live our lives each day, but we need to always be looking for those divine moments where God is moving and revealing Himself.
It would be a shame if Dollywood took the train out of the park. You will always know of the train’s majesty as long as it’s allowed to operate. The Holy Spirit is what separates the Church from any other gathering. You will always know of His Majesty as long as He is allowed to operate. My prayer for you is that you will attend church this weekend and allow the Holy Spirit to interrupt your schedule and speak to you personally.
