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Have you ever wondered why migrating geese fly in a V formation?
As with most animal behavior, God had a good reason for including that in their instincts.
As each bird flaps its wings, it creates uplift for the bird following.
In a V formation, the whole flock adds at least 71% more flying range than if each bird flew alone.
Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone…
…and quickly gets back into formation.
Like geese…
…people who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier than those who try to go it alone.
When a goose gets tired, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies at the point position. If people had as much a sense as geese, they would realize that ultimately their success depends on working as a team, taking turns doing the hard tasks, and sharing leadership.
Geese in the rear of the formation honk to encourage those up front to up their speed. It is important that our “honking from behind” be encouraging. Otherwise, it’s just – well – honking.
When a goose gets sick or wounded, two other geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and provide protection. They stay with the unhealthy member of the flock until it is either able to fly again or dies.
Then they launch out again with another passing flock or try to catch up with their own. May we be so sacrificial, that we may be worthy of such friends in our time of need.
You don’t have to be a scientist to learn from God’s marvelous creation; you only need to stop long enough to observe and let God reveal His wonders to you.
Job 12:7-9
7 “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; 8 or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you. 9 Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this?
~ Submitted by Paul Steinbrueck; author unknown
September 7th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
Wonderful. I love the scripture at the bottom too - how telling that we too are made to flock together!
September 9th, 2007 at 8:04 am
I think Paul’s example of the geese is a great way to explain our need for community. Community is where we love and be loved, know and be known, serve and be served and celebrate and be celebrated. It is also where we ignited and be ignited.
Let’s keep the fire going.