"HONK! - LESSONS FROM GEESE"
INTRODUCTION
- The Scriptures often point to nature for illustration and wisdom...
- Solomon directed the sluggard to consider the ant - Pr 6:6-11
- Jesus said to look at the birds, consider the lilies - Mt 6:26-28
- Found on the Internet are facts and lessons we can learn from geese...
- By Robert McNeish, former Assoc. Superintendent of Baltimore
Public Schools, 1972
- That can be applied to our relationships with one another in the
church
[For example, consider our first lesson from geese...]
- GEESE PRACTICE SYNERGY
- FACT...
- As each goose flaps its wings it creates an "uplift" for the
birds that follow
- By flying in a "V" formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater
flying range than if each bird flew alone
- LESSON...
- People who share a common direction and sense of community can
get where they are going quicker and easier because they are
traveling on the thrust of one another - McNeish
- This is the principle of synergy: two or more agents working
together to produce a result not obtainable by any of the
agents independently (e.g., nitrogen + glycerin)
- Which explains the Biblical practice of two by two - Mk 6:7; Lk
10:1; Ac 13:2; cf. Ec 4:9
[Do we appreciate the wisdom of "flocking together"? Closely related is
lesson two...]
- GEESE BENEFIT FROM MUTUAL EDIFICATION
- FACT...
- When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag
and resistance of flying alone
- It quickly moves back into formation to take advantage of the
lifting power of the bird immediately in front of it
- LESSON...
- If we have as much sense as a goose we stay in formation with
those headed where we want to go - McNeish
- We are willing to accept their help and give our help to others
- ibid.
- Strong Christians appreciate the value of mutual edification
- He 3:12-14; 10:24-25
[Mutual edification occurs within the context of a local church.
Whereas a group of geese are called either a skein (inflight) or gaggle
(on ground), a group of Christians is called a church. Next...]
- GEESE SHARE THE BURDEN
- FACT...
- When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the formation
and another goose flies to the point position
- Similar to pace lining in bicycling
- LESSON...
- It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing
leadership - McNeish
- As with geese, people are interdependent on each other's
skills, capabilities and unique arrangements of gifts, talents
or resources - ibid.
- As members of the body of Christ, we are to do our part - Ep
4:16
[Too often, brethren "burn out" because other brethren won't "help out".
How about you? Are you doing your part in the work of the local church?
On to lesson four...]
- GEESE ENCOURAGE THOSE WHO LEAD
- FACT...
- The geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up front
to keep up their speed
- It is unlikely to be complaining that they are going the wrong
way
- LESSON...
- We need to make sure honking is encouraging - McNeish
- In groups where there is encouragement the production is much
greater - ibid.
- The power of encouragement (to stand by one's heart or core
values and encourage the heart and core of others) is the
quality of honking we seek - ibid.
- Such should be purpose of our words (honking), to build others
up - Ep 4:29; Col 4:6
[To give a bumper sticker another meaning: "Honk, if you love Jesus"
(and His brethren). Lastly...]
- GEESE CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER
- FACT...
- When a goose gets sick, wounded, or shot down, two geese drop
out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it
- They stay with it until it dies or is able to fly again
- Then, they launch out with another formation or catch up with
the flock
- LESSON...
- If we have as much sense as geese, we will stand by each other
in difficult times as well as when we are strong - McNeish
- Another benefit in working together, a duty of spiritual
brethren - cf. Ec 4:10; Ga 6:1-2
CONCLUSION
- By instinct, God gave geese the wisdom to succeed in their flight and
migration
- By His Word, and by His Creation, God gives us wisdom to succeed in
our spiritual journey!