(August 17, 2023) Robert McQuillan reflects on a lifestyle choice…

It’ll soon be Father’s Day and I’m reminded of my dad and my childhood. Let me share something personal here… since childhood I’ve had a thing about steam trains!

Many a Sunday afternoon my parents would take me for a walk in the country (few people had cars back then and walking was the in-thing). Sometimes we’d cross a railway line. If I heard train whistles from down the track, and realised a steam locomotive was coming, I would insist we stop and wait until little wide-eyed me would watch it come by!

Growing older I’d be off with mates to the Saturday afternoon flicks. John Wayne was soon my hero and the first movie I saw him in he jumped onto the rear carriage of a big steam loco.

Following one’s heart
But more than the Duke was on my heart. Locos were certainly were! Especially as dad was an engineer – the official title for locomotive drivers in those yesterdays of steam trains, and I was proud of him.

Came the day which I will never forget when Dad took me – just a ‘little fellow’ in short pants – down to the local, large city rail station and explained about the (to me) ‘huge monster’ that was technically called the engine. And then being lifted up onto the platform, his working domain. What a thrill, such excitement for a small boy… my heart was beating: this was like a dream come true.

The loco had been prestarted and Dad explained the controls, how the engine operated. It was a cold morning but the heat from the blazing firebox quickly warmed me physically – my heart was already on fire with curiosity. I had stared at the huge wheels, and now I gazed at the control levers that looked so heavy to little me, and then back at the tons of coal in the tender. I was elated to be on that platform, especially when Dad permitted me to pull the whistle!

There as always something special about riding in those old carriages, but to be on the platform with my dad… that was a different kind of excitement completely. The resounding whistle, the wind, openness, smoke (even the dirt!), rattling rails, unique rhythm – even today when I occasionally catch sight of the rare steam train thundering along a railway line, I stop and watch with bated breath!

Following one’s father
That childhood memory goes back many, many years to when it was customary for boys to follow in their father’s footsteps. Back when it was common that what dads did for a living became their sons’ careers (at least number one son). However, although I loved my dad I didn’t pursue a steam loco career. Put another way: I wasn’t about my father’s business.

But – even as my dad’s train-driving took people to special destinations, though using the gifts the Holy Spirit has given me to explain scripture clearly, I delight to take people to glorious destinations in God and help them grow in their Christian experience.

I was in my teens when I met the real love of my heart – Maureen, my darling of over 62 precious years, to learn that her dad was also an engineer. But of a different kind – a precision engineer, working with intricate machinery in a large world renown engineering plant. I learned that during WW2 he was surrounded by special branch officers, as he worked on secret plans. And that at home he created classic meaningful items, including toys for his daughter when Maureen was a kid, especially a unique wooden double storey toy house with lots of handcrafted furniture.

Like myself, Maureen too didn’t follow in her dad’s footsteps – but she inherited his creative genes and her advice is still often sought regarding home décor and colours, even via phone or email. And in her unique way she communicates God’s word  and truths in the most down-to-earth realistic fashion.

Following our heavenly Father
Scripture makes it clear the God is our Father (Psalm 68:5-6, Isaiah 63:16, Luke 12:32, Luke 6:35-36, 1 Corinthians 8:6, 2 Corinthians 6:16b,18, Ephesians 4:4-6, 1 John 3:1).

His son, Jesus, was definitely about about His Father’s business! Even back in childhood He stated emphatically what His ongoing intentions were – ‘I must be about my Father’s business’ (Luke 2:49). CJB reads, ‘I had to be concerning myself with my Father’s affairs.’ 

And the gospels depict that Jesus never lost sight of that goal. Even when He was weary and hungry, He put aside natural desires for refreshment in order to share the good news with those who wanted to hear and receive from God. Such was the case in His encounter with the Samaritan woman at Sychar. Afterwards, when His disciples urged Him to eat, Jesus gave a remarkable reply: ‘My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish His work’ (John 4:34).

Luke 9:60 (Mge), tells how He directed His followers (and that includes us today) to follow suite: ‘First things first. Your business is life, not death. And life is urgent: Announce God’s kingdom!’

Following His family business
The Father is the missions-minded God… Jesus was the first missionary, ignoring ridicule, investigations and plots by the critical righteous Pharisees. Boldly He declared to His disciples, ‘As long as it is day, we must do the work of Him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work’ (John 9:14).

Jesus was specifying that the Father’s business is a corporate, family work, one that involves every Christian, everyone who follows Him. Work… the Greek word here is ergon, variously translated business, work(s), deeds, miracles and so on. In John 10:25, Jesus affirmed that He did His works and miracles with the direction and approval of His Father, and on His behalf.

John 14:12 becomes an outstanding scripture for us today as Jesus declares that if we His followers truly believe in Him, we too will do what He had been doing. He even declared that we would ‘do even greater works than these.’

Again, the expectancy of Christians mightily serving God as He boldly did. Greater works? Yes, because Christians live all over the world today, whereas Jesus only travelled around the locale of His day and in His limited time on earth. And what technology we have at our fingertips today!

With clear conscience Jesus was able to look heavenward and tell His Father, ‘I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do’ (John 17:1,4). Finally, as He gave His life on Calvary’s cross in order to redeem humankind, He exclaimed triumphantly: ‘It is finished!’ (John 19:30).

The picture painted by scripture is clear – Jesus, the Son of God, was completely sold out to following in His Father’s footsteps, being about His dad’s business despite personal cost and sacrifice. He constantly did and said those things His Father desired of Him. In doing so He ‘brought God to earth’ – displaying His nature, love, concern, power, understanding, compassion and grace!

We Christains are family! What work – ministry – has the Father for you to complete this year, nevermind 2024?  Jesus’ example is unmistakable. Equally unmistakable, He has given us authority and a command to carry on His work while it is still day, before Satan’s darkness falls further on planet Earth.

And don’t feel inadequate! The Father not only gave us His Son but also the Holy Spirit to assist us in fulfilling John 14:12 by ‘clothing us with power’! That in itself, when we think of what Jesus accomplished perusing the Father’s business, is challenging and mind-blowing! Read Luke 24:49 and Acts 1:8… noting that your Jerusalem is right where you are!

Following advice and challenges from famous ‘family members’–

• Albert Schweitzer: ‘Do something for somebody everyday for which you do not get paid.’
• Billy Graham: ‘God has given us two hands – one to receive with and the other to give with. We are not cisterns made for hoarding; we are channels made for sharing.’
• Mother Teresa: ‘We do  the work of Jesus and with Jesus. It’s not a matter of praying some times and working others. We pray the work.’
• Pope Francis: ‘Being a disciple means being constantly ready to bring the love of Jesus to others, and this can happen unexpectedly and in any place: on the street, in a city square, during work, on a journey.’
• Thomas Keller: ‘Do you realise that it is only in the gospel of Jesus Christ that you get the verdict before the performance?’
• William Griffith Thomas:  ‘He is the greatest influence in the world today. There is … a fifth gospel being written – the work of Jesus in the hearts and lives of men and nations.’

In other words – being about our Father’s business should be a lifestyle!

Following on after Jesus…
What then? Are we too about the Father’s business? Really following on from Jesus and bringing glory to God on earth? Are we doing ‘greater kingdom works’ (whatever that may be that God has planned for us) while it is still light and the Light of Life is still shining in this dark world?

And what is the Father’s business for each of each of us? All we have to do is to ask Him! (Matthew 7:7). Read Dr Richard Winter’s Squeezed-pushed-and-pulled. Christians have the enabling of the Holy Spirit to help us! May we all be kingdom involved and, if not, definitely begin to be, whatever the cost.

Neither Maureen or I have any difficulties with the fact that neither of us have been about our earthly father’s business. But regarding our heavenly Father’s business, even in our ‘senior years’ we continue to plan being able to say when we stand before the Lord: ‘Yes, I have been about the Father’s business.’

Bob Mumford once said that in the final analysis all that matters is that we were not ‘men-pleasers’ but Father-pleasers!

One more thought about steam locos… may we all have a great fulfilling, satisfying full-steam-ahead life pleasing the Father –  it’ll bring more excitement, pleasure and rewards than even riding on steam trains!

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Dr Robert and Maureen McQuillan’s links: OnlinerConnect@gmail.com and Facebook
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