One evening I was in my back yard and I was strolling around with my camera. 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 this shot. 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 right behind. I found this interesting thing written regarding geese in formation and their honking as they fly. Today let us reflect on the power of encouragement.
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.
This is the time of the year where I live that you hear flocks of geese beginning to leave for the cold winter months ahead. These facts will remind me why they fly in formation and why they are honking. So how can we learn from the behavior of geese?
When we as believers find our rightful place where God wants us to be, we will be strong and effective. We will find our rightful place and soar to new heights. 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!”
