Ducks and Geese

Fall has arrived and with it many things are happening. But there is one part of Fall, that always makes me stop what I am doing and look up. The sound of geese flying overhead. Their cry can sound lonely or stressful. But it can also sound like chatter or that maybe they are sounding the alarm for others to join them. Join them? For what? Well, you see like many of God's creatures, they know the signs to look for when the daylight gets shorter and the temperatures start to dip. It is time to move. To migrate. Now, not all the ducks and geese leave, but they certainly know the weather is changing and some do have miles and miles to travel for warmer climates while others just need to get ready for winter.

The other week as I watched them fly over, they were so much lower than usual. I could actually hear their wings flapping as they glided effortlessly through the evening sky. They were changing positions and the leader was taking a break. I am sure they do that often because the leader would have to take a break or fight the wind much more than the others that are behind. So, they need breaks. Anyway, I was thinking about blogging again and if there is a message in the geese that I could write.

Here are my thoughts. They come and go every spring and winter. I know they are coming, yet, I still look to see them. They are beautiful to watch and I actually like their honking. Their honking. Yes, it is as if they are calling out to make sure all that want to come along know they are invited. If one has stayed on the lake too long, it isn't too late. They could still join in the journey. Also, the honking signals that they are still all together as a group. It gives the others the endurance to keep flying. To keep up with the journey. I always feel sorry when you see one flying by itself and honking with no reply. I just hope they find others a few miles downstream.

Do we as Christians know the signs to look for Christ's return. We are called Christians because we are Christ followers. Do we know the signs we are to be looking for, for His return? Are we calling out to others to join us for the journey? Are we giving our leaders a break and taking our turn in helping keep the group together? There will come a day when the sky will be silent and be no more.  I was reminded of a song that is playing a lot on the radio. It is by Newsboys, called "We Believe". I love the lyrics to the entire song, but the chorus gets me every time. It goes something like this:

We believe in God the Father
We believe in Jesus Christ
We believe in the Holy Spirit
And He has given us new life
We believe in the crucifixion
We believe that He conquered death
We believe in the resurrection
And He's comin' back again

Here is my challenge for both you and myself. If we believe those things listed and as followers of Christ we should, where is room for fear or being left behind? Fear of any kind? If we have new life, if death has been conquered and resurrection has happened and He is coming back for us, what is there to fear? Yet, we live in fear don't we at times? Do we realize that this world will end, whether we see the warnings or not.

If I turn on the news, I am at times overwhelmed. I am glad to be informed but so much is out of my control. Wars continue and people hate other people- people they don't even know and health concerns. We fear others won't like us if we show the real deal in public. We fear we can't handle a job or task because we have never done it before. We fall for Satan's lies and we feel we aren't good enough. We fear we will miss the mark. We read scripture and get confused. End time events are overwhelming. I don't understand them all. I can't tell you for certain the exact order of all events and who will be where or who will see what. But I can tell you, I believe in God the Father, I believe in Jesus Christ and I believe in the Holy Spirit and that is where I rest my fear and worry. They are still following the original plan they had when the Earth was spoken into existence. Yes, we have free will and yes there have been twists and turns with mankind, but not one thing is a surprise to God. When I get a bit anxious, I repeat that chorus to myself. Sometimes out loud. You see, that is all we really need. Because if we believe that, then the Holy Spirit lives in us and the Holy Spirit has conquered death and has given me new life. He that is in me, is greater than he that is in this world. If you can't say with confidence that you believe those things listed in the above chorus, then I ask you to please seek someone out who can share with you the message of Jesus. The world tries to complicate it. But all God ever asked, was for us to believe in his Son and believe that he paid the price for our sins. To ask for forgiveness of those sins and to trust in Him. He never asked us to walk this path alone, but somehow, we think we must.

Lets look around us and be like the geese, giving out a call for those searching and wondering. Those waiting for someone to call them to join them on this journey. We as followers know some of the signs that scriptures tells us to look for. I know every generation could say those things were happening in their time frame, but we are getting closer and closer. I am amazed at the number of books and movies being written by the secular world about end days. It is coming. Whether you are ready or not, it is happening. Are you ready? He is calling you to his side. If he already has called you and you accepted please tell others so they too can join us.

One final request. When you read this, our daughters will be getting ready to fly to Africa. I can't type all the details, but I ask you to pray for them to have safety and a fruitful trip. The world is dark all over, here as well as there. I read the same newspapers you do and I hear the same updates on the television, but they are in God's hands and God's plans. He has given my husband and I peace. The world would have me pacing the floor, but with God, I have slept every night in peace.