Rhonda Quaney: {|The Wild Goose|}

Over the clanging of dishes and splashing water I hear the faint cry. The walls of our home can't muffle their call. The song they sing is like staccato notes of joy. So I pull open the window and press in to listen.

Yes. I hear it again.

I have to run out on the porch to look for them. They are honking out their rhythmic song. The first chorus and the echoing answer. Encouraging each other as they lift higher and get louder. Just before dropping in altitude to adjust their course over the landscape of the canyons behind my home.

They are a sign of promise to the changing seasons. Goodness knows I'm ready to put the snow shovels away, hide the ice melt and watch tulips push their beautiful faces up through the stony soil.

I keep watching and listening. There are two geese pumping their wings in tandem like children pump their legs in a swing to see who can rise higher. Their majestic wing span appear to overlap and yet they never miss a beat or ruffle a feather. And white-breasted bellies look too full to fly. Long black necks and white chin strap accentuates their faces stretched out in flight.

They fly with intent.

Looking forward.

Pressing In.

Photo Credit

I love geese.

Even as a child my home was in the path of their ancient invisible flyways.

It makes me wonder-struck how their long flights, take them beyond my horizon, in season and out of season. How they the sense to choose a mate for life, communicate as they fly, most often swim in formation and fly in formation.

Each bird flies slightly above the bird in front of him, resulting in a reduction of wind resistance. The birds take turns being in the front, falling back when they get tired. In this way, the geese can fly for a long time before they must stop for rest.

Flying in a V formation also makes it easy to keep track of every bird in the group. Flying in formation may assist with the communication and coordination within the group. It is so effective that fighter pilots often use this formation for the same reason.

Mostly geese are loyal.

Research shows that if a goose is shot down, two geese will turn back to be with the injured one. And then they will stay until that bird dies or is able to resume their journey.

Can I just go ahead and make a silly observation?

Some days I wonder if people have as much sense as a goose.

What I've lived is people shooting at each other.
Folks not even knowing who the real enemy is.

This clipping the wings of others over words that aren't matched with the reality of true love, prayer, and deeds that come with real faith and the moving of the Spirit.

Jesus-people pecking and plucking.

Mind-molting and pond-hopping.

After years of seeing it, as well as being it, it all made me wild for some change.

The ancient Celtic Christians were said to have named the Holy Spirit, "The Wild Goose."

Interesting.

It does speak to the mysterious nature of the Holy Spirit.

Often overlooked.

Long-suffering.

Temperate.

Untamed.

So often we make Christianity out to be something that can be domesticated and caged.

Oh I want to hear more from the Wild Goose kind of Holy Spirit!

Not like searching for a holy grail. But to hear the leading of a Holy God.
Not a wild goose chase without purpose or that ends in futility. More like the call of the Lead goose and to hear define the path to take.

Loving Jesus is suppose to be the Good News. We of all people should not only be passionate, but ....dare I say it?

A little wild.

Photo Credit

As each goose flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in V formation the whole flock adds at least 71% greater flying range, than if each bird flew on its own.

People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.

We need to use our giftings to reduce the pull and drag on those around us.

We need some divine 360 degree vertical and horizontal monocular vision.

While we're heading into the wind.
Moving toward the light.

Why, we could split the sky if we pulled together instead of tear each other apart!

In one chorus, calling out words of encouragement. Living loyalty and love. Running to look and listen where the Spirit is leading. Following relentlessly the invisible Ancient One who will show us the way on this great adventure.

This free response of the will, to a free call of the spirit, to go to parts unknown.

I'm staring into the setting sun. Searching for the specks on the horizon. Watching them flap their powerful feathered limbs. Each stroke keeping time with the other. Acting as one powerful united arm. Listening to their incessant call to each other. Encouraging each other on the long journey.

The image is compelling.

It's a beautiful thing.

And who doesn't want 70% more return on their time and energy?

As God so often does. He gives us a return that is more than the sum of our parts.

When we live like this example, it isn't just one plus one equals two.

It's: 1 + 1 = far more than two.