On its 50th Anniversary in 1991, an Electroliner passes a Silverliner (built 1917) at the Illinois Railway Museum.
“Each day holds a surprise. But only if we expect it can we see, hear, or feel it when it comes to us. Let’s not be afraid to receive each day’s surprise, whether it comes to us as sorrow or as joy. It will open a new place in our hearts, a place where we can welcome new friends and celebrate more fully our shared humanity.”- Henri Nouwen
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up- do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”- Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)
On Sunday, February 9, 1941, the first North Shore Electroliner went into service. Debuting as the North Shore Lines’ premiere electric rail equipment, the Electroliner featured coach service as well as tavern/lounge amenities. Partially inspired by the Burlington Zephyr, the Electroliner’s principal body color consisted of a medium blue-green trimmed with salmon-red stripes.
Capable of operating at speeds up to 90 mph, the Electroliner remained in service for 22 years, advertising one-way, through fares to Milwaukee or Chicago. Furthermore, the celebrated train evoked surprise for two reasons. Interurbans (1) faced their last stand by the early 1940s and (2) weren’t thought of as high-speed operations.
Writing in The Upside of Adversity (2006), Os Hillman fortifies our spirits when he states that God desires to turn our desert places into lush green valleys of blessing. Yet, when you’re in that desert, your most significant concern revolves around when your trial will end. As Os explains, he believes your trial will end when it doesn’t matter anymore (emphasis author’s):
“Once you’ve lived a long time in a state of adversity, status and influence don’t mean much anymore. You appreciate the blessings God gives you, but if they were removed, you’d still be okay. Your security is in God, not circumstances.”
Most importantly, Mr. Hillman examines the connection between adversity and success. In particular, he stresses the perspective adversity gives to success. As a result, Os describes five principles to remember as you graduate from a time of adversity to a time of blessing.
1. View success as a gift from God. Since all success comes from the Lord, that means you receive it, not achieve it. And that applies to all your possessions. God gifted them to you. Os adds: “When all you have is a gift. there’s no room for pride – only humility and gratitude.”
2. Learn how to handle praise. While the approval of people comes and goes, God’s approval lasts forever. Therefore, all praise belongs to God.
3. Live a humble life. As Rick Warren observes in The Purpose-Driven Life, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.”
4. Be held accountable for humility. Ask trusted Christian friends to hold you accountable for a humble attitude.
5. Remember that God saved you and has plans for you. Everything that happens in our lives = an undeserved blessing of God’s grace.
