The Train Driver told me, ‘Down the train track just around the bend, a pair of black swans would return each spring to the same dam in the paddock near the railway line. I have been watching this pair of swans return each year for more than twenty-five years to raise their young.
There would always be grand speculation among the train crews in the depot about the exact date of their return. Then, when they returned, there would be great rejoicing among the crews.
I remember on one occasion it was late in the spring and the pair of swans had not returned. They were later than usual and all the crews were concerned about them. Had something happened to them? Would they ever come back?
We began our shift towards the end of the day and as we passed the spot late in the afternoon I glanced across but the swans had still not returned. We were disheartened and the mood stayed with us through the evening. On our arrival at Sydney we changed over with a crew on a south-bound freight train to return home. We pushed on through the long night, tired and discouraged.
Nearing the end of our journey, I lifted my head and glanced over to the dam and there, silhouetted against the predawn light, were two black swans sitting gracefully on the water. My tiredness and flagging spirits turned to excitement. The two swans had arrived, safe and sound, some time during the night.’
The swans were home and Jesus tells a similar story about our journey towards home. When we are tired and discouraged, He said ‘Lift up your heads because your redemption is drawing near.’ (Luke 21:28) And ‘behold, I am coming soon!’ (Revelation 22:12).
Jesus has the timing down to the moment and He is just waiting for us to believe it. Like the return of the black swans, Jesus said his coming will be like that of a ‘thief in the night.’
It is for real and there is no need for grand speculation.
Elizabeth Price