{"id":384,"date":"2013-03-24T17:15:09","date_gmt":"2013-03-24T17:15:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ntmu.net\/?p=384"},"modified":"2013-05-17T14:27:29","modified_gmt":"2013-05-17T14:27:29","slug":"birds-of-the-air","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ntmu.net\/?p=384","title":{"rendered":"Birds of the Air"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"birds\"<\/a><\/h2>\n

Flying Lessons For The Redeemed<\/h2>\n

When you see geese flying along in \u201cV\u201d\u00a0 formation, you might consider what science has discovered as to why they fly that way.
\n(An anonymous story, adapted from the internet, using the Bible translation of W.F. Beck.)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\n

As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in \u201cV\u201d formation, the whole flock adds at least 71 percent greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.<\/p>\n

\u00bb\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u201cAnd let us consider how we can stimulate one another to love and to do good works. Let us not stay away from our meetings, as some are regularly doing, but let us encourage one another, all the more because you see the Day coming nearer\u201d (Hebrews 10:24-25)<\/p>\n

\n

When the head goose gets tired, it rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point.<\/p>\n

\u00bb\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 It is sensible to take turns doing demanding jobs, whether with people or with geese flying south.<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cDon\u2019t be selfish or proud, but humbly treat others as better than yourselves. Each of you, be interested not only in your own things but also in those of others\u201d (Philippians 2:4).<\/p>\n

\"birds.9\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.<\/p>\n

\u00bb\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0What messages do we give when we honk from behind?<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe ask you, fellow Christians, to appreciate the men who work with you and lead\u00a0 you in the Lord and warn you. Love them and think very highly of them on account of the work\u00a0 they\u2019re doing …\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13)<\/p>\n

\n

When 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 in front.<\/p>\n

\u00bb\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those people who are headed the same way we are.<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cBut one thing I do: I forget what is behind, reach for what is ahead, and with my eyes on the mark I go after the heavenly prize to which God has called us in Christ Jesus. Let us all who are mature think in this way …\u201d (Philippians 3:14-15).<\/p>\n

\n

Finally – and this is important – when a goose gets sick or is wounded by gunshot, and falls out of formation, two other geese fall out with that goose and follow it down to lend help and protection. They stay with the fallen goose until it is able to fly or until it dies, and only then do they launch out on their own, or with another formation to catch up with their group.<\/p>\n

\u00bb\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If we have the sense of a goose, we will stand by each other like that.<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMy fellow Christians, if you find anyone doing wrong, you who have the Spirit should set him right. But be gentle and keep an eye on yourself; you may be tempted too. Help one another carry these loads ….\u201d (Galatians 6:1-2).<\/p>\n

Share this:<\/h3>