Devotional for Tuesday, September 13, 2016
“One Word of Encouragement”
by Dona Hake
The coming of my favorite season Fall brings so much beauty. Already I am seeing some leaves start to change, and other signs are in the air! One of my favorite things is seeing geese fly overhead as they pack up and head south. I can remember a particular Fall evening that I was in my backyard walking around and had my camera with me. Sometimes I do that as I look for special nature gems that I seek to photograph. As I was ready to walk back in the house I heard a flock of geese overhead, and I was so excited to capture the image that I am sharing with you today. The sound of their honking and the flapping of their wings was so amazing to see and hear. One geese always leads in the front and the ones behind are in formation following . I found understanding this makes this an analogy that can teach us about encouragement and building each other up as we purpose to serve our Lord together.
The Importance of Encouragement
“Geese flying in
formation “honk”
to encourage those up front to
keep up with their speed.
We need to make sure
our “honking” is encouraging.
In groups and teams where
there is encouragement,
production is much greater.
Individual empowerment results
from quality “honking.”
Author Unknown
The geese “honking” teaches us the power of encouragement but the form in which they fly teaches us another lesson. Did you ever wonder why geese fly in the “V” formation? There are two reasons. First, it conserves their energy. 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. The second benefit to the V formation is that it is easy to keep track of every bird in the group. Flying in formation may assist with the communication and coordination within the group. Fighter pilots often use this formation for the same reason. I found understanding this makes this an analogy that can teach us about encouragement as we as unity.
When we as believers find our rightful place where God wants us to be, we will be strong and effective. We will soar to new heights as we work together and stay in the place the Lord has assigned us to be. We will draw upon the strength of our God and those people that He has put in our lives. When we see anyone around us that is weakening and needs an encouraging word, we will speak an encouraging word, and they shall be lifted up.
As we look to love and encourage one another as God desires us to, we will see each other walking out our God given assignments that we have been given. There is power in encouragement and unity! Today, I encourage you to be sensitive to those around you. There are troubled hearts everywhere, let us seek to speak a word of life giving encouragement to the heavy and anxious heart!
Proverbs 12:25
Anxious hearts are very heavy,
but a word of encouragement does wonders!”