I love geese. Especially in Spring. I love to watch them fly and then land on my neighbor’s pond just beyond our backyard, and settle in for the spring season, announcing their arrival with a honk that sometimes sounds like bagpipes getting run over on a freeway. But that glorious sound puts a smile on my face and a bounce in my step, because they are announcing the arrival of Spring.
Conversely, it saddens me when I see them leave in September, and I shiver a bit knowing cold weather once again will soon be upon us. But the real reason I love to watch geese is because they are God’s natural born encouragers.
When geese fly in their V pattern, that flock adds at least 71% more flying range than if each goose went it alone. That is because each bird gets a lift from the one in front of it, and it’s easier for them to flap their wings. When a goose falls out of formation, it immediately feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone and quickly gets back into formation.
We can certainly learn something from geese. Like geese, we weren’t designed to do life alone. We were designed to encourage one another and build relationships that lift one another up. There is a saying, “A rising tide lifts all boats.” We are strong only when we support each other. But I’m not talking about political or financial support. I’m talking about emotional support, physical support when necessary, and dare I say most importantly, spiritual support.
That kind of support is the toughest of all. It’s easier to support a cause by writing a check or signing a petition. The tough part is reaching out and asking “What do you need?” “How can I help you?” When was the last time you reached out to someone to say “Thank you, for all you do. Keep it up!” Or ask how you can help, and then do it.
We do a great job as individuals coming together in times of crisis, and are always so amazed at the generosity of the human spirit. If we are to learn anything from history, it’s that there will be crises. And if we can band together in a crisis, can we band together in good times too? Wouldn’t that help to ease the blow before a crisis? Wouldn’t that help to ease anxiety and depression?
God did not create us to do life alone. God created us to be like the geese, who lift each other up in order to continue the journey. We are the geese of this community and just as the geese have a common focused goal, our common focused goal is to encourage each other to stay true to what is right, good, and eternal, and to follow our true purpose. When our steadfast purpose becomes greater than ourselves, and we find others like us, it’s easier to rally together. Then, like the geese, we then lift each other up in praise, and encourage each other along the way.
When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates to the back of the V so it can rest, and another goose takes point. And all the geese honk to encourage the one in front. So by watching geese fly, we learn that there is no such thing as ego. Nothing is more important than the purpose which they were called to do. This is key when learning to encourage others to pursue their purpose, and to pursue it for the right reasons. Are you encouraging others for a greater purpose? And are you humble enough to recognize when it is time to step down and allow others to take the lead? This could apply to any area of your life, whether it is leading a church, a family, an organization, or a business. And when that proverbial torch is passed, can you accept that decision with grace? And are you prepared to take it? Every event in our lives happened for a reason. If we look back on our past experiences, we can generally find events or actions that have given us wisdom and knowledge, and if we are humble enough to learn from it, will put us right where we need to be at the right time.
When a goose gets sick or is wounded and falls out of formation, two more will land also to lend protection. They stay with the goose until it is able to fly or until it dies; they then either launch out on their own or join another flock to reach their destination. Even geese comfort their sick and injured in times of crisis. I know when I am sick, it is much more difficult for me to get out of bed, take my medicine or get water when I don’t have the energy to breathe. It certainly helps to have a spouse who tends to my needs and puts up with my whiney childish behavior. When you offer kindness and compassion to others, especially those less fortunate, you go beyond yourself in order to serve and encourage others.
Geese, then, teach us that having a focused purpose and encouraging others along the way can take us further than going on our own.
Geese teach us the common purpose is greater than any one individual, so it is important not to get full of ourselves. We learn that humility is key.
Geese also teach us compassion and care for those that are injured or sick, and encourage them to recover in order to press on. Geese are God’s perfect example of encouragement. If you need encouragement, please reach out to me and please pass this on to others who may be in need of encouragement.