The Tragedy of the Dragon Fly

The dragon fly may often be seen buzzing round and round above the surface of the water in a pond. It seems to be chasing something or other, presently it begins to fly closer and closer to the water's surface, and then suddenly one of its wings touches the water, and in its struggle to release it, the other becomes immersed. Now it is helpless, and just floats round and round as if crying for help, but none comes, and eventually it dies from sheer exhaustion.

This is a picture of some folk who flutter near sin, then become attracted by it, and get nearer and nearer to it. Soon they are doing some little bad deed, "one wing is in the waters of sin." Sin holds us, and it is not very long before these people are floating helplessly in it. Like the prodigal in the parable did, I expect, such folk cry to their companions in sin to come and help them—but no help comes. Yet, if they cried in true penitence to God, He would hear and listen, and would bring them up out of the miry waters of sin and plant their feet upon a rock. Here by trust in God they could renew their strength, and be able to use their wings to good purpose.

We all have two wings which we can use—"faith" and "love." Faith, to believe that God loves us, and that our Saviour died to save us. Love, to love God with all our strength, and all our might, and our neighbour as ourself. If we use these wings, by God's help we shall be able to fly above all the poisonous waters of sin, into purer, holier air.

Let our prayer be: "Lord, help me to resist the attractions of sin, and to look after my wings of faith and love, so that I may always trust and love Thee, and rise to the pure atmosphere of Thy goodness, and live nearer to Thee."