Encourage the exhausted, and
strengthen the feeble. Isaiah 35:3
Have you wondered why one leg of the
“V” is many times longer than the other leg? The scientist, aerodynamic experts and
aeronautical engineers had trouble figuring this one out, but I am almost sure
I have the answer. Do you want to guess?
Well, the reason one leg is longer than
the other leg is that there are more geese in that leg.
There really is a very logical and a
simple explanation, if you consider the disposition of the geese as illustrated
in the first four lessons. As geese that
have fallen from other flocks (as illustrated in lesson 3) recover and rejoin
flocks flying in the same direction, they join the rear of the formation. One extra goose in a particular leg of the “V”
makes that the rear of the formation. As
other geese join the rear, that leg becomes even longer.
As the scientist studied the geese,
nowhere did they find any evidence that the original flock treats newcomers as
outsiders. They benefit from the uplift
provided by the geese in front of them (Lesson 1) and contribute encouragement
by joining along with the honking (Lesson 3). The story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:30-37 proves that
the man who was beaten and the Samaritan were not from the “same flock.” Did that keep the Samaritan from helping or
welcoming the beaten one? As a Church,
we will often encounter the opportunity to welcome someone from a different
flock. The difference might be economic, race, nationality, background,
experiences, appearance, styles, mannerisms or whatever, but do we welcome them
with compassion, as did the Samaritan?
In conclusion, I’m not sure where such
terms as “lost as a goose” and “no more sense than a goose” came from. I know that geese, like all of God’s creatures
since Adam, have faults. Domesticated
geese who have lost their survival instincts and become dependent on someone to
help them survive are far different from the wild geese who can know how to
work together for the common good.
Sadly, Christians who have learned to be handfed and cared for seem to
lose their sense of responsibility to the flock and require inordinate
attention and care. They have real
trouble surviving on the “wild.”
Hopefully you have gained some insights
from God’s creation this week on how to be an encourager and the power of
encouragement. Next time you hear the
honking of a flock heading north or south, let it be a reminder of the need to
encourage our brothers and sisters and give praise to our God.
Scripture
to Claim:
But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Hebrews 3:13 ESV
But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Hebrews 3:13 ESV
