DEVOTIONAL: Do you have as much sense as God has given a goose?
By Pastor Don Squires
Temple Free Will Baptist Church, Darlington
Scripture often points to things in nature as examples to give wisdom. Proverbs 6:6-11 – Solomon reminded the sluggard (lazy) to consider the ant. Matthew 6:26-28 – Jesus reminded us to look at the birds and consider the lilies of the field. Let’s look at some facts and lessons we can learn from geese. Lessons that we can apply to our relationships with one another, our family, church family and friends. 1. GEESE SUPPORT EACH OTHER (synergy) Fact: As each goose flaps its wings, it creates an “uplift” for the birds following behind. By flying in a V formation, the flock is able to increase their flying range by 71 percent. Lesson: Just like geese, people who share a common direction, those who share a sense of community, can get to where they’re going quicker and easier because they’re traveling with the help of one another. Synergy: Two or more working together to produce a result not obtainable by one alone. This explains the biblical principle of two by two. Mark 6:7 – And He called unto Him the 12, and began to send them forth by two and two, and gave them power over unclean spirits. Ecclesiastes 4:9 – Two are better than one, because they a good reward for their labor. (Birds of a feather flock together.) 2. GEESE BENEFIT FROM EACH OTHER Fact: When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly slows down and it feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It will quickly attempt to get back in formation to take advantage of the uplifting power of the geese in front of and around it. Lesson: If we have as much sense as God gave a goose, we’ll stay in formation with those headed in the right direction. We must be willing to accept help and give help. Christians should lift up one another. Hebrews 3:12-14 – Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God. But exhort (lift up) one another daily, while it is called Today, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end. Exhort: Lift up, encourage, support. This should always take place in the church as well as our daily lives. A group of geese are called a skein (inflight) or a gaggle (on the ground). A group of Christians are called the church. We should be benefiting from each other, whether in flight or on the ground. 3. GEESE SHARE THE BURDEN Fact: When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into the formation. Then another goose flies to the position to take its place. They all share in the burden of the journey. Lesson: It is beneficial to everyone involved to take turns sharing the burden. Each one doing their part. Just like geese … People depend on each other’s skills, talents and gifts to accomplish almost every job. It’s beneficial for the flock to help bear the burdens. As members of the body of Christ, we’re required to do our part. Ephesians 4:16 – He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. Way too often, people “burn out” because other people won’t “help out.” Are you doing your part in the work of your church? Do you have the sense that God gave a goose? 4. GEESE ENCOURAGE THOSE WORKING IN FRONT Fact: Geese flying in formation are always honking to encourage those up front to keep going. Lesson: We need to make sure that our honking is always encouraging. There’s usually a lot of honking going on in or outside the church. Let’s make sure that our honking is encouraging. People who are encouraged produce more. The power of encouragement is the honking we need. That should be the purpose of our words – honking to build others up. Ephesians 4:29 – Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Colossians 4:6 – Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. “Honk, if you love Jesus.” 5. GEESE CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER Fact: When a goose gets sick, wounded or shot down, on many occasions two geese will drop out of formation and follow it down. They care for each other. They will stay with it until it does or is able to fly again. Then they join in with another formation to try and catch back up with their flock. Lessson: If we have as much sense as God gave a goose, we’ll stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we’re strong. Eccleiastes 4:9-10 – Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falleth, for he hath not another to help him up. God gave geese the wisdom to succeed. I believe it would do us all good to copy the life of geese. By His Word, by His Creation, God has given us wisdom to succeed in our physical and spiritual journey! Do you have the sense that God gave a goose?
