The Snake in the Plane

The Snake in the Plane

Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges

come at you from all sides.  You know that under pressure,

your faith life is forced into the open and shows its true colors.

James 1:1

When Braden Blennerhassett took off from the Darwin, Australia airport for a cargo run, he never dreamed that he had an extra passenger onboard.  Moments after takeoff, a snake popped its head out of the dashboard of the twin engine plane, scaring the living daylights out of the pilot.  The snake's head was right next to the transmission button Braden needed to push to connect with the Darwin tower, but he was finally able to alert them to his predicament.  They thought he was kidding.

As Braden beat a hasty retreat back to the Darwin airport, the snake continued to poke its head out of any available opening in the dash.  Then, as the pilot began his approach to the runway, the snake slithered completely out of the dashboard, onto his lap, then began traveling down his leg.  His blood pressure was through the roof by the time the wheels touched down.  Rather than taxi to the hanger area, Braden brought the plane to an abrupt halt, threw open the door, and jumped from the plane - leaving the snake and the aircraft on the runway.

Anytime adversity raises its ugly head, we have the opportunity to discover exactly what we are made of.  More importantly, in such circumstances we show to the watching world our character, our faith (in God as well as in ourselves), and our coping skills.  My prayer for each of us today is that we will gain the upper hand over the serpent of temptation and sin.

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I am thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,

And it told of love to me.

But I long to rise in the arms of faith

And be closer drawn to Thee.

Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer precious Lord

To the cross where Thou hast died.

Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord

To Thy precious, bleeding side.

The United Methodist Hymnal No. 419