A large aeroplane was recently taking a flight over mountainous country. The pilot and his observer had not been traveling long, when they heard a noise on board that filled them with anxiety.
It is a far greater danger to have one rat on board a ship that sails in the air, than to have 100 rats on a sea-going vessel. An aeroplane is so easily damaged; the biting through of one wire, or the tearing of the fabric of a wing, might be enough to send the aeroplane crashing to the ground.
It was the sound of a rat gnawing away in some secret nook of the aeroplane that disturbed these men. What could they do? It was impossible at that height to search the plane, and if they attempted to land, the mischief might be complete before they could do so. Besides, they were traveling over a mountain range, and that is not suitable ground upon which to land an aeroplane. Suddenly the pilot thought of a good idea. He began to mount higher and higher into the already very keen mountain air. Higher and still higher he went, until the two men could scarcely breathe. Their ears felt like bursting, their breath came in tearing gasps, but up and up they went. Why? They were waiting for something they knew must happen. Difficult as it was for them to breathe in the cold rare atmosphere of that mountain height, they knew that it must be much worse for their secret foe, the rat. He would have to give in first. Higher, still higher! And then their courage was rewarded, for with a feeble scamper and a dull thud, a large rat came out from its hiding place, and fell dying on the floor of the aeroplane. In a moment the observer had thing it overboard. He and His companion were safe from their secret foe.
Is not that the way for the Christian to triumph over the temptations of daily life? We need to “mount up with wings,” or as the apostle Paul puts it. “If then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth... set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col. 3:1-21If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. (Colossians 3:1‑2)).
A. D. B.
If I think of the world, I get the impress of the world.
If I think of the trials and sorrows, I get the impress of my sorrow.
If I think of my failures, I get the impress of my failures.
If I think of Christ, I get the impress of Christ.