Birds have much to teach us

They fly united in a V-formation which means that even the youngest weakest and oldest geese can make the trip, every formation has a leader which means he takes the headwinds, the rain snow and ice.

The formation depends on him. The weaker members are kept at the back so that they can be protected, but even they have a role to play they become the ‘honking’ section which means they are the encouragers.

Geese are fully committed to looking after each other. When the trip becomes too much for a bird and they begin to lose altitude or can’t keep abreast of the formation then two strong geese will leave the formation and fly with the ‘patient’ safely between them to find a safe place for the bird. They will then join another formation as stray geese are always welcome. [Word for Today 3 - 7th August 2010]

So many lessons to be learnt here - especially for the Church. They should be united in faith and purpose, so that younger, weaker, older members know they are an important part of the whole body of Christ, working together to make things happen.

Churches need a strong leader to set the priorities and lead the work to get to the goals. This is hard and often lonely work but again the whole membership of the church needs to get behind the leader to help and inspire the work.

In the church even the old and infirm are important – the shut-ins who can’t get to church any more carry out the most important task of providing encouragement through consistent prayer and love for the members.

Finally the Church should be welcoming - no one should be turned away or made to feel different. In Matthew 11 verse 28 Jesus says “Come to me all who are weary and I will give you rest," you could find your way to that resting place in your local church.

Matthew 6:26 entreats us to ‘look at the birds in the sky’ they have much to teach us.