Volume 33

Though few people realize it, the standard width of train tracks around the world owes its origin to ancient chariots. According to legend, rail lines are precisely four-feet, eight and a half inches wide because that was the uniform width of British wagons. British wagons were that width because the country’s roads were built by the Romans whose chariots were always four-feet, eight and a half inches wide. By making wagons with that same measurement, their wheels would fit into the ruts carved by the Roman chariots, making it easier to travel.

But the Encyclopedia of Railways says the standard size of rail tracks actually goes back to the time of Darius, the king of Persia (ancient Iran) who lived long before the Romans and is mentioned in Daniel 6:23. Since the king’s military roads often passed along steep mountains, grooves were cut into those corridors to hold the chariot wheels and keep the vehicles from flying over the edge when horses were driven at top speed. Those grooves were precisely four-feet, eight and a half inches wide and can still be found today.

By the time of the Romans, chariots were usually banned from cities which were designed mostly for pedestrians. At night though, lumbering four-wheeled freight wagons were allowed in to carry goods to market. Since the streets were narrow and poorly lit, grooves were cut in the pavement to guide the big carts and stop them from hitting each other or the raised stones that marked most intersections. Again, those grooves were the same width as today’s train tracks.

My point here is that sometimes being in a rut isn’t entirely a badthing. In fact, despite the word’s negative connotations, rut is simply a modification of the French word route, meaning way, To be sure, falling into a monotonous, mind-numbing way of thinking or acting is seldom positive, but there’s a time and place to follow the trail blazed by others who’ve gone before us. Sometimes it makes the journey of life easier and much safer.

Another good example of that is the Oregon Trail. Between the 1840s and the completion of America’s first major railway in 1869, hundreds of thousands travelled west from the Mississippi River as far as California on that famous route. Ruts and roadways cut into solid rock by the wheels of the pilgrims’ wagons are a powerful testimony to the sheer numbers and determination of those intent on reaching their Promised Land.

Which brings me to us. Sometimes being in a rut or in the groove is a simple matter of perception. If we approach our faith with a mindless conformity that makes us unwilling to think for ourselves, we soon end up in a ritualistic, risk-free but unrewarding rut. But if we engage our God relationship with all our “heart, soul and mind”, as Jesus asks in Matthew 22:37, we can follow with confidence the Way prepared for us by Jesus and those who’ve gone before us.

The journey of life is hard and dangerous. Especially these days when everything happens at top speed, we need spiritual guidance and grounding to keep us from plummeting over the precipice of fear and doubt. By building our lives according to the standards set by our King, we can stay in a godly groove that will lead us safely to our ultimate destination.

Remember, the road is narrow, dimly lit and still rife with danger and uncertainty. But while we make our pilgrimage, we can spare ourselves a world of grief if we follow the route and revelation laid out for us by the faithful. Two thousand years ago, a command was given to followers of Christ. “Mark out a straight path for your feet. Then those who follow you, though they are weak and lame, will not stumble and fall but will become strong.” (Hebrews 12:13)

That path leads to heaven. The Way is worn but the Word is trustworthy. So you can have confidence in the guidelines carved by our loving God. Maybe you need to get into a rut, not out.

By Rick Gamble. Published in Cross Current, the weekly newsletter of the followers of Christ congregation in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. Reprint at will in not-for-profit publications. To subscribe to this free weekly article, send a note to Rick at rgamble@bfree.on.ca