I have a love/hate relationship with the geese in my yard. Apparently, for reasons unbeknownst to me, my back yard is an official gathering place for Canadian geese in preparation for migration. Around this time of year it is not uncommon for me to find a few dozen to several hundred geese in my yard, my driveway and the church parking lot.
These birds are bigger than you might realize until you get up close. They can easily weigh 12 to 15 lbs. (that’s bigger than my dog) and have a wing span of 4 to 6 feet. Because of their size and number, they are not easily intimated. There are days when they block our driveway and refuse to move. They can even be a little aggressive when you try to push them along. But worst of all, after a couple of hundred have been in your driveway for a while . . . . well let’s just say it’s a mess.
On the flip side, when they take flight, it is majestic. Those large powerful wings will carry that bulbous body off the ground and into the air in a way that seems to defy gravity. In a few days times, they will travel 2000 to 3000 miles. Under ideal conditions, they can travel at up to 70 mph and cover 1500 miles in a day. How is it possible for such a big, heavy bird to make such extraordinary time and distance?
The secret, as you may know, is in the formation. When they fly, they naturally fall into a “V” formation that allows the birds to draft off one another. By pulling together in a common direction, and supporting one another as they go, they are able to cover more ground, at a greater speed, than they ever could alone.
This, of course, is also the beauty and power of the church of Jesus Christ. When we pull together in a common direction, supporting one another along the journey, there is no limit to what we can achieve for the work of Christ and the kingdom of God. I am convinced this is why Jesus initiated the church. He intended for us to live lives of great impact, making the most of the gifts we have been given. But the secret is in the formation. By pooling our gifts and talents, working together for a common mission, we are able to do more than we ever could on our own.
I am grateful for you. You play an important part of our church family. We could not nearly achieve all that God is calling us to without you. When we are called by God, empowered by the Holy Spirit and working all together as the body of Christ, there is nothing we cannot accomplish for His sake.
God Bless,
Pastor Steve
BTW, speaking of pulling together for a common purpose, one of our biggest outreach events of the year, the Rock Run Raiser, is coming up on Saturday Oct 19th. This great event draws many unchurched people, and raises thousands of dollars for local and region missions. The Run Raiser takes a big team of volunteers. If you can help, please click on this link to let us know.