The Sense God Gave A Goose




, What an awesome world God has made. In six creative days He created everything from order, to light, to vegetation and all living creatures. Upon looking at all His finished work, God concluded that it all was very good.

You know, all through scripture you can find references made to God’s creation and the lessons we can learn from it. We are told to look to the lilies, ants, coneys, locusts, and even spiders to learn life lessons.

For the sake of this article I’d like for us to look at the goose. There are principles in the natural instinct that God implanted in the goose that we as a Christians should try and incorporate.

First, by flying in a “V” formation the whole flock adds at least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own. Now there’s some good goose sense! 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.

Psalm 133:1-3 (NASB95) Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil upon the head, coming down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard, coming down upon the edge of his robes. 3 It is like the dew of Hermon coming down upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing— life forever.

The only known recording of God commanding a blessing comes when there is unity.

The second lesson we can learn is that each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. Did you get that? By each bird doing his part it uplifts the one that is following. Make no mistake about it; you have an affect, positive or negative, on others. There are eyes that have been fixed upon you, and they are watching to see if what you have is authentic or just a fake. The life I live has far greater impact on others than the things I say.Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front of it. If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those who are headed the same way we are going.

Notice also that not only do you help those following you by doing your part, but you are being helped by someone else. Not one person has made his spiritual journey completely on his own. This is why faithful attendance to a local assembly is so important. Lack of regular attendance, as well as attending but not participating, will result in a drag and resistance to your success.

The third lesson we can learn is that when the lead goose gets tired, he rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point. There are times when we are weak or just weary in well doing. It’s at that time that you need to rely on your church family. We must learn to speak out, and let others help us when we’re in need. You have not because you ask not.

The fourth lesson is that while flying together, the geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. Remember the bumper stickers, “Honk if you love Jesus”? This gives a whole new meaning to that phrase. What do others hear when you honk? Encouragement or discouragement? Constructive criticism or destructive criticism? Uplifting praise or a down-pulling phrase? The old saying, “If you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything at all!” has some merit. Note this incredible example of encouraging words:

Isaiah 41:6-7 (NASB95) Each one helps his neighbor and says to his brother, “Be strong!” 7 So the craftsman encourages the smelter, and he who smooths metal with the hammer encourages him who beats the anvil, saying of the soldering, “It is good and he fastens it with nails, so that it will not totter.

Finally, when a goose gets sick or is wounded by gun shot and falls out, two geese fall out of formation and follow him down to help and protect him. They stay with him until he is either able to fly or until he is dead, and then they launch out on their own with another formation to catch up with their group. We see too many casualties in the Body of Christ now days. It’s amazing how quickly we tend to turn from those in need rather than run toward them. You and I have a mandate to help the wounded.

Galatians 6:1-2 (NASB95) Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.

2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.

As the Word instructs us, look to nature and learn great lessons for life. I pray: Lord, give me the sense you gave the goose. If we can learn to live by these principles I believe it will make our flight through this life better till we all catch our great flight out of here.