"O, THAT I HAD WINGS!"

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23442, 5 March 1938, Page 7

"O, THAT I HAD WINGS!"

Written for the Otago Daily Times By the Rev. D. Gardner Miller

There comes a time in the life of most of us when we could run away from everything. I have a friend who, when the pressure of life gets beyond what he thinks is the limit, expresses his exasperation by saying that things get on his "G" string. Why "G " string more than the "D" string, or the "E" string, I don't know. But I know what the expression is meant to convey and that is, if things don't alter there will be a burst up. And that again simply means he will let things rip and he won't care. I don't think for a moment that he would do anything of the kind, but like most of us, he is the creature of his moods. Now, when you get into the mood—or the mood gets into you—that the only way out of your troubles and. difficulties and exasperations is to fly away from them you are getting very near to being a coward. Of course, you will have recognised at once that the title of my article is taken from the psalms. You will find the complete sentence in the sixth verse of the fifty-fifth psalm: "O that I had wing like a dove! Then would I fly away and be at rest" And you know, quite well, that the man who said these words wanted to fly away from his sins, bnd he couldn't. Nobody can do that. You can't fly away from what you have,done, for no matter where you go, you take yourself with you, that is, you lake your memories and thoughts and everything that goes to make up your personality But my talk with you this week is not about trying to run away from your sins but about that feeling that comes over you to fly away from the hum-drum and the constant irritations of daily life.

I sometimes wish I could let you have a glimpse of the men and women who find their way to me because of things in their lives that have nearly driven them to distraction. During the past 48 hours I have (listened to four people who are living on the brink of hell. And I look at my diary and I see that before the week is out there are others I coming with their burdens. Often* when I am asked to give an opinion of a best-selling novel I smile, because I know that real life has more tragedies and more sordidness—and, thank God—more glorious and beautiful incidents than ever was' spun out of the imagination of a writer. I have no intention of making public these interviews. And, of course, I don't profess to put their troubles right. I take themUo God. But, the point I wish to emphasise is this, that I don't think there is a statement more often quoted by distracted people than this one out, of the fiftyfifth Psalm. "I wish I could fly away from it all." This desire to escape is very general.. I have a feeling -of 'deep pity for men and women whom life seems to hold in a grip that only lets go now and then so? as to take a firmer grip. I can understand how they long to get out and away and never come back again. Just there is where I generally stop their stories and say, " aye, and you would not come back again! You would not come back to him or her if illness came! You would not come back if you heard a cry in the night that disturbed your sleep!" I know, of course, they would come back and put their chains on again. it is a natural desire, to fly away, . but it is unnatural to stay away. Of course, it may be that some, perhaps you. wish to fly away from- the naggings of conscience. But you can't do that. You may blunt your conscience but you can't kill it. You may drug your conscience but you" can t silence it. Wherever you. go you take it with you. No. escape is no remedy from the ills, the distractions and imitations and tragedies of life.

Some even try to find escape in religion. That, to me, is rather sad. You see, you can make religion something to dull the pain, or make you forget the trouble, but until you make religion something that deals with it you are only piling up further trouble. Religion should never be used to make you resigned to your troubles. Resignation is not a Christian virtue at all. The value of religion lies in the fact that it braces you to go through, right through, the wall.that looms up m front of you. It doesn't take the wall awav. but it provides a door through it. But many try to use religion as a kind of emotional drug. They pray, and sing hymns, and whine about their troubles, but never seem to think that it may not be the will of God at all that they should either fly away from their troubles; or sit down and count them over,,one by one. God's will is that.we receive power to carry on. And there now I bring you to another verse in the 55th Psalm, the 22nd. " Cast thy burden upon the Lord and He shall sustain thee. He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved (that is He will not suffer the righteous to totter for ever)." Notice, you are sustained to-carry your burden; the burden remains. You are strengthened to carry it for His grace \vilJ keep you from tottering under your burden. Religion is not a way out, it is a courage given you to stay in You are given wings, not to fly away from your troubles but to rise above them. SOME BOOKS Here are three books I cordially commend.. "Christ and Present World Issues," by Stanley Jones, the world famous missionary (ss). If you are perplexed about Fascism, iNazism and Communism as"far as they affect Christianity, and they do, here is the book you must read. It is well informed, challenging, and written with an ease that carries you along. This book is a tonic for the times. "The King's Grace, by John Buchan (Black Jacket series. 3s New Zealand) Here is the story Of Britain and her relationships during the 25 years of the late Kings reign. It is histdry written with charm. It does you good to sit back and review events under the guidance of a balanced writer. This is a living record and I most surely urge you to read it. " Tibetan Trek," by Ronald Kaulbuck (Black Jacket series, 3s, New Zealand). This is the lighter side of an explorer's life, It is vastly entertaining and illuminating. I believe the original edition was priced 16s. If you want to give an intelligent friend a book he will treasure, give this one.