WHEN I was a young man I was asked to make one in a party engaged on a kind of work I had never done before—namely, unloading a barge with wheel-barrows up a plank on to the shore, and running the barrow along the shore for some distance. I started, and very soon found the barrow and its load overboard. Again and again I tried, frequently getting the wheel off the plank, and only saving the barrow from falling into the water by getting its frame on the plank, where I had to hold it till someone helped me on again.
An “old hand” who had watched me, at last came to me, and said, “Here, I’ll put you right. The reason you get off is that you are continually watching—first your feet, and then the wheel. Now never mind the wheel, nor your feet either, but look straight ahead at the plank.”
I did as he told me, and very soon I could run a barrow with any man.
Jesus says, “I am the Way.” (John 14:66Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6).) Keep your eye on Him—not on your load, nor on your feet; look straight off on to Him, and you will not fail. “Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.” (Heb. 12:22Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2).) J. M.