God's Extraordinary Lessons in Ordinary ThingsSample

Great Goose

There is a small lake at the entrance to the subdivision, and even in the dead of winter, several geese make the tiny island in the middle of that body of water their nesting place and home. (Guess they didn’t get the memo that they are a migratory species). Every day, maybe twice, this small flock flies over our house, noisily squawking and flapping like crazy. I wonder where they’re going. I see and/or hear them each morning and at dusk each day.

Do they have jobs? Do they have another home somewhere else? Are they visiting relatives? Are they dropping off their kids at school? Or just a quick run to the market?

I digress. Anyway…

There are some very interesting facts about flocks of geese and their relationship to each other. For instance, as each lead bird flaps its wings, it creates an “uplift” for the birds following it. By flying in a V formation, the whole flock adds 71% more flying range than if each bird flew alone. The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front, and when the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into the formation, and another goose flies at the point position.

What a profound thought! Though we’re encouraged not to follow the crowd (or the flock), there are many times we must seek out fellowship with others. We need each other desperately. Since fellowship is one of the essential functions of the church, this is something to consider. In Ecclesiastes 4, the Teacher writes, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.”

Paul writes in his first letter to the Thessalonians… “encourage one another and build each other up…”

We could all get through life better if we would learn to depend on each other more, to give encouragement when things are good, and to be willing to help each other in the low times. Life is a long journey, and we could all use some “uplift” from time to time.