I’d just met a friend in the northeastern part of Moscow. We hadn’t seen each other for nearly two years. Meeting at a major metro station (underground subway), we stood outside on the steps deciding where we’d like to visit over a cup of coffee. McDonald’s Cafe (now called Vkusno “Delicious”) was on the edge of the metro square across the street. Although I am not crazy about the atmosphere, they serve good coffee. As I pulled open the door handle of the cafe, I was in for a shock! There were boards and dust everywhere. The place was obviously under renovation. That should have been a clue as to what I might expect later on this unpredictable afternoon, but in that moment, a small bakery around the corner saved the day!
After our visit, I took the green metro line to continue my way to a business meeting. When the train got to Dybrovka, it stopped and everyone was ordered to get out and leave the terminal because there was a train wreck up ahead.
I don’t speak Russian. Assuming she was a train employee, I asked a woman carrying a small yellow flag if she spoke English. She did and she told me there had been an accident with two trains colliding. She said a bus would take me to another station.
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life.’ “
John 14:6a
Well, I got my aerobic exercise as I climbed the stairs leading out of the metro station. Once outside, I could see a dozen empty buses on both sides of the street, (2 dozen in all), lined up ready to go. Unsure of where I might end up, I decided to take a taxi. An hour later, a colleague shared with me that she headed for the meeting taking the green line and sailed right through.
My conclusion. The metro and bus people seemed well prepared, more than I would normally expect. As quickly as the incident was over, it made me wonder if this was a “practice drill.” Later I saw an article about a Moscow train wreck on a Russian Internet news site. The article was very vague with few details. The cause of the accident was unknown, if people were injured was unknown, or how long the metro was stalled was not known. Interesting!
Although I wasn’t in any danger during my “metro side trip,” it deposited me in an unknown part of this large city, and it could have been scary. Instead, it was one more evidence of God’s love and protection. And I made it to the meeting on time; in fact, I was early.
Have you ever gotten lost in a strange city or even in your own town? How did you find your way?
How are Jesus’ words evident in your life (John 14:6a)?
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