I saw a gaggle of geese on my way in to downtown Dallas this morning, flying in a V. Actually, there were two groups, one V, one I. The V was massive, one of the biggest I’ve seen. I watched in wonder as they crawled northward, faintly making out their flaps against the morning gray as they flew by. At the left rear arm of the V there began to be this commotion. At first I thought perhaps it was just the lead goose falling back into his reward at the restful rear after pulling the much more burdensome shift as the pilot. I kept waiting for the V to reform and settle, but it didn’t. Several geese were flapping wildly as if perhaps there were some turbulence in the wind, until finally a dozen or so broke away.
There were now three distinct groups—one V, one large I, and one newer, smaller I. Riveted, I watched to see what would happen next, if they would form a new V, but they were becoming smaller and smaller into the horizon until they finally faded in the haze, and my road turned south.
I don’t know why the group broke off of the big V. Maybe they couldn’t keep up. Maybe the larger group wasn’t moving fast enough for them. Maybe someone in front had gas, or had an affair, or didn’t honk in tune. Who knows? What I do know is that they eventually formed the new V that I was hoping to see. They formed it not because they ought to, but because it is the easiest thing to do—the thing that is good and pleasing to do—the thing they are suited for.
I never saw the end of their story. I suppose it is still being told somewhere by someone else.
6 comments:
every time I've seen geese flying I think of GOS part I.
In fact, several times today I was thinking of geese or sparrows...
It is such an integral part of how I look at things now. I find myself thinking of this analogy more than any other, I think.
The recent past has been quite regrettable, as I've seen my heart increasingly wish to give up and go the way of the sparrow. Yet an invisible "something" has stayed that from happening.
Thanks for a part II. This last fall and winter has been enjoyable whenever seeing geese fly. It's meant more to me than seeing rainbows.
This just makes me think of denominations. They really bug me. I mean I just go to church wherever as long as they don't spout complete schlock and heresy. I just don't even care about all these little nitpicky rules people get all hung up on. have communion once a month, have it once a week, have it every freaking day...just do it. Why do you have to ruin stuff with all that? Why do people get like this? Like when we were going to COC. I went because we were just called to be there for that time. But I could never understand how you could infer that by the lack of mention in the NT of instrumental music that it means you are going to hell for strumming the guitar in church...wouldn't even let them bring a keyboard into the sanctuary for a wedding service...just DUH!
I'm sorry, I have two kids. I am very clear with them about things that are going to get them killed. I am very clear about not putting forks in electric sockets. I don't imply it's not a good idea. I look at my son and I tell him..."NEVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES TOUCH THAT" So I think God, who is probably a better parent than I, wouldn't leave salvation issues implied...but that's just me.
It seems like whenever you get a big group like this together and try to make a "One holy and right way" you just get a bunch of argumetation and debate about what the one right way is and then the breakage comes. I don't know, maybe it's a good thing to break off into factions like that. Maybe that is the way it should be in order to best meet people's differing needs and cultural expectations. I don't know. For some reason, it just bothers me.
I don't have any problem with distinctions among groups of believers or with people breaking off for a short time or permanently. The only problem I have is when people say they were right to do it. There is no way it can be said to be right. Or wrong. It just is.
The main thing is that people like geese will regroup because it's good. It's pleasing. It's the way we are made. There is no reason to call people names. Just break away and make a new V. And in so doing remind the world how God made us.
But by all means, keep flying.
Yeah, you are right. The thing that really bothers me is the "one true right way" business. It just reflects a lack of humility. I don't know about you, but I don't know that the way I choose to go is the 'right' way. I hope I am living as God wants. I seek to. I pray and ask for that. But for me, it is such a momment by momment thing and it's not always easy to tell. So when people act like they have "the answer," or they start writing between the lines, I am immediately uncomfortable.
But you are right, it's not the breaking off so much as the "See, Dad likes me better" business. It really is kind of like sibling rivalry.
Exactly. It's "Dad likes me", not "Dad likes me better". Why take things beyond what the heart desires?
I like the phrase "writing between the lines". It sounds like you have more to say about that...
"Why take it beyond what the heart desires?" is such a good question. I did a paper two semesters ago for comparative religion examining the sibling relationships in the bible. I don't know what I did with it. But that is really a deep recurrent theme from start to finish. Why do you suppose that is?
Post a Comment