Blood on the Railroad

     My middle name is Mahlon, which is originally a biblical name, but I it was not named for just that, I was named after a distant relative on my Mother's side who ultimately sacrificed himself for someone else. I do not know the details of the story, but let me fantasize and imagine a possible scenario for a minute.



     Mahlon Pugh was a railroad worker. I know not what his importance or position was, but I can imagine he was not very high on the totem pole, but rather a diligent and responsible worker who did what he needed to ensure that his family had the best life he could possibly give them. He was most likely a behind-the-scenes workman with an obvious sense of love and duty.
     One day Mahlon Pugh was working on the railroad when some kind of accident occured, putting potentially many people in danger. For our purposes let's say that an incoming train's brakes failed, causing it to overshoot its stopping point and right into the work area. Somehow a man, woman, or potentially a child was stuck or oblivious on the tracks as this iron horse powered indifferently toward them. Mahlon Pugh, with probably only a second of hesitation, gave up his life pushing, and ultimately saving this helpless person. It is a cliche'd story, but I assure you that it happened.
     I have often wondered about the person he saved. I hoped that they would look on that blood on the railroad, spilt for them, and feel a hopefully renewed importance of life. I hope that they became inspired to live the best life that they could, and that they would not miss this second chance of life. "Look now, someone died for you" must be what they told themselves when their will was running dry.


     A few years ago as I was contemplating this, I felt a morbid envy for that person. They saw the price of life that they were supposed to pay, and yet were exempt because my ancestor Mahlon stepped in for them. They saw the blood spilt on the railroad, and as horrible as it must have been, they had physical evidence etched into eternity on exactly how important they are. Again, it is morbidly beautiful.
     As I was pondering this, I kind of wanted that. How nice it must be to then know exactly how much you are worth, to have a sense of motivation because look, someone died for you. I couldn't finish the thought, however, because the though of Jesus Christ, my Savior instantly came to my mind. He died for me. He died for you. He spilt His innocent blood all across Jerusalem so that we could have this second chance at life, so that we can live again.
 

Look now, someone died for you.

     Remember that, when things get tough, when motivation runs out, and when the world seems to turn against you, that you are loved enough to have a Savior.
     I know that He died, and now lives for us. He loves us all and would do it again just for you. Remember that, and it will help you see your divine part. You have a mission here, and that is to help other people as you would like to be helped. You can touch hearts and inspire lives that no one else can. You can help people in ways that answers their prayers, just as you have been helped. Pass on hope, and remember to share love.