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As I walk along the foreshore of Tauranga Harbour on the North Island of New Zealand, I am gloriously serenaded by hundreds of Canadian geese. Their honking is magnified by the water, resulting in a crescendo of different notes. I wonder what they are saying to each other.

Various naturalists have studied the habits of Canadian geese, and it seems there are many lessons for us to learn from them. As creatures created by our Heavenly Father, they incorporate into their DNA the patterns He has instilled. Let’s look at some of them.

V-formation Creates Uplift

These magnificent birds travel in a V-formation. It is scientifically proven the flapping of their wings in unison enables them to fly about 70% further than they would if they flew alone. What a lesson! When we work together, we benefit from the “uplift”.

Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.
~ Psalm 133:1-3

Unity not only invites the Lord’s blessing, but it is described here as being like an anointing. When the priest was commissioned to the Lord’s work, his head was anointed with the most precious oil. It was made of olive oil and sweet-smelling spices like myrrh, cinnamon and calamus (a fragrant grass-like plant). This anointing rendered the anointed one sacred, or set apart for holy purposes.

Unity is Life-Giving

So unity in the church, or among us as believers, creates an “uplift”, or synergy, where the whole is greater than the sum of the parts and sets believers apart to fulfil God’s purposes.

It is also like the dew of Hermon. Mount Hermon is the highest mountain in Israel and from its melted snow, the headwaters of the Jordon River flow. It rushes down the mountain creating life for the thirsty land, so agriculture can flourish.

“But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” ~ John 4:14

Imagine if in the church, we worked together with that life-giving unity – no more criticism, just an attitude that looks for opportunities to bless, honour and serve. We could expect our blessings to multiply by 70% or more.

Leadership Humility

When the point goose, or leader of the V-formation, becomes tired, it humbly drops back, and another bird, primed and ready, takes its place. There is not a wing-beat missed. The formation continues seamlessly.

In the church, are we intentional about ensuring our leaders don’t burn out? Are we preparing multiple leaders in the event the leader drops out for a season, retires or moves on?

Our leaders need to know they are greatly valued, but at the same time, even the most accomplished leader should be confident to step aside, take leave or respond to God’s call, without the church missing a “wing-beat”.

The momentum and synergy of our V-formation should propel us to seamlessly allow a change of leadership. This is only possible with much prayer, a universal attitude of submission, cooperation and caring. Unsurprisingly this is the model we find in Scripture.

Joshua was prepared, trained and tried before he succeeded Moses. Likewise, Elisha walked closely with Elijah before he received his mantle of blessings. Jesus intentionally trained, tested and mentored his disciples. Each knew they “overcame the devil by the Blood of the Lamb and the Word of their testimony, loving not their lives, even unto death.” (Revelation 12:11)

Caring for the Sick

If a goose is sick or dying and drops out of formation, two others will accompany it to land and will stay with it until it either dies or gets better. One of the two companions will look for food, while the other stays near the sick bird to ensure no predators can attack it. When the sick bird recovers or dies, they will either fly back to their formation or join a following one. Joining in again is seamless.

Scripture frequently exhorts us to care for the sick and needy. When someone in our church or community drops out through sickness or death, many respond with compassion, visiting and praying. If they stay away for a long time, we need to seamlessly welcome them back. If they join another fellowship, hopefully they will be welcomed as if they already belonged. After all, we are one body.

Honking Encouragement

While the geese are in formation, those at the back are constantly honking encouragement to those in the front. When they land, often in a remote location, they constantly call to each other.

Instead of our churches being hotbeds of criticism, dissatisfaction and grumbling, we would do well to “honk” encouragement to one another. Intentionally praying for our leaders to have wisdom, grace, compassion, humility, energy, and discernment will change the atmosphere of any prayer group. In the coffee break, or when we talk to church friends during the week, intentionally encouraging rather than criticising will help build unity in the Body.

Intentionally targeting intergenerational interaction, honking encouragement – the younger to the older and the older to the younger, will increase the sense of belonging and enhance well-being for everyone.

In many congregations, there are single members without family close by. One suggestion could be to encourage a child, without grandparents close by, to “adopt” a grandparent, or for a lonely older person to “adopt” a grandchild within the fellowship. This doesn’t have to be onerous, but creating a connection that will be beneficial to both age groups.

When Jesus hung on the Cross, within moments of His agonising death, He spotted His mother in the crowd below. He invited John to look after her.

^“Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.  When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.” ~ John 19:25-27

It is surely to our shame that so many elderly are abandoned to loneliness in residential facilities. They may be well cared for medically and physically, but emotionally and spiritually, many feel rejected and desperate for human touch. When I worked at a church office with a residential care facility nearby, each day, widows would drop in. More than anything, they wanted a hug. Did you ever imagine your small gesture of love and compassion to an older person could prolong their life?

If our wonderful Creator God put these qualities in a goose, imagine how much He delighted to invest in the crown of His creation – us humans. It’s there – we just need to find it!

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Image courtesy of Pexels.