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Listen while you read: "For The Beauty Of The Earth"1 (Lyrics) |
Recently, I was sitting in my van at Elliot Lake looking out over the water. Being retired allows one to take time to enjoy nature and learn the lessons that God wants to teach His children. At the water's edge, I had gingerly parked the van because there were two families of geese grazing on the grass and I didn't want to hurt a gosling or a parent. One family had seven young goslings, and the other family had four.
After a short while, both families went into the water. Because I was in the van, I did not realize that the wind had come up until I watched the geese bouncing on the waves. I knew that their legs were working hard against the wind as they went over to the other side of the lake where there was a reed bed. There were quiet noises of encouragement as they swam along. Both families were swimming in single file, keeping a distance from each other. There was an adult bird in front, young goslings in the middle, and an adult coming in the rear. Their formation made me think of the phrase that we often hear, "I've got your back."
Watching their trip across the lake brought verses of Scripture to my mind. When we accept Jesus Christ as our Saviour, we have God in our life. He completely surrounds us in love, grace, and total security.
Psalm 91:4 – He will cover you with His feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. (NIV)
Ephesians 2:6-7 – And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. (NIV)
I was reminded to rest securely in the knowledge that God the Father designed the plan of our salvation, that Christ paid the penalty for our sin at Calvary, and that believers can follow the leading of the Holy Spirit through the truths of Scripture.
Watching these geese doing as God intended made me think of how God works in believers' lives to get them safely home. Not one goose looked back at where they came from — they all looked forward. Similarly, you and I must press on to God's high calling in Christ Jesus. Along the way, we can encourage each other and build each other up in the faith.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we ask for Your help to understand the lessons that we learn from Your creation. Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to the place called Calvary to die for our sins. As Your children, may we realize that we need to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in the truths of Your Scriptures. Help us to know that we are secure all around when we accept Jesus Christ as our Saviour. Help us to show Your love to family, friends, and neighbours. Amen.
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Thank you.
Amen Ruth.
Beautiful prayer!
Thank you, Ruth! Blessings.
Thanks, Ruth, for the comforting thoughts.
A lovely reminder, Ruth. Thanks and blessings!
Thank you, Ruth, for sharing this encouraging devotional with us today. Blessings.
Thank you, Ruth. Isn’t it amazing how God can speak to us through the world He created?
My friend forwarded your writings.
She lives in Nova Scotia. Always interesting and thank you for your words.
(Ontario)
Many thanks Ruth for another very mindful devotional. Our loving Lord sure is the one that keeps us secure as we follow His teachings, and it is important that we spread His word and show His ways of love and kindness to others. Blessings for these special writings you do.
I love this mental picture / illustration, Ruth. I have seen that exact scenario here on a local pond, so know just what you mean. The little goslings in the middle of the flotilla are so safely guarded and guided by their parents, just as we are guarded and guided by our Heavenly Father.
Thank you, Ruth, for writing today. We have Canada geese who migrate to Texas…and some stay for some reason. On our ranch there have been a couple of geese. The female has laid her eggs but unfortunately the fox around here have enjoyed the eggs instead of letting them hatch. I have suggested to my husband that he tell the geese the problem, and he, of course, shakes his head at me.
Good morning, Ruth,
Your devotional reminded me of the first time I saw a family with goslings at Centre Island in Toronto. It was a large family also and always stayed close together. It was a special day for me.
I enjoyed the peaceful way you told the story of their journey and how it reminded you of God’s love for His world and how it protects us. The description of them all looking forward and that we should follow Jesus and encourage others along the way, is a good reminder of why Jesus came to save us.
May you enjoy the beauty that surrounds you at Elliot Lake. Blessings.
Hi Ruth:
Another thought-provoking message, so well done.
See you this evening.
Good morning, Ruth,
Thank you for your good devotional. Geese are such wonderful birds, they look after their young so well. I just love them. Looking forward is always a good idea.
Blessings.
Hello Ruth,
Thank you for sharing your story “God has us totally surrounded” in today’s PresbyCan Daily Devotional. This is a wonderful story and comparison. I love watching geese families swim in this formation — it’s so adorable. I like the comparison you make “I’ve got your back.” As a very young child, while the family vacationed in the Alps, my parents would have us walk like this along narrow paths. One parent leading the way and the other at the rear to ensure us kids don’t fall behind. Indeed, God has our back. He surrounds us with His love and blessings. You mention an interesting observation, geese don’t look back. They are focused on their journey. We must also be focused on our path that the Lord has set us on — the path of faith in Jesus Christ.
Thank you and God bless.
(ON)
Grateful for this lovely sharing of your faith today, Ruth. Simple and profound.