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Flying In V Formation
I never tire of seeing geese flying in their V formation. Each bird, as it flaps its wings, creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. This V formation allows the whole flock to add at least 71% greater flying range than if each flew on its own. Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance to trying to go it alone. It quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front. When the lead goose gets tired, he rotates back in the wing formation and another goose flies point. The geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. When a goose gets sick or wounded and falls out, two geese follow him down to help protect him, and they stay with him until he is either able to fly or is dead. Dynamite churches, where Christians share a common direction and a common purpose, have similar characteristics to a flock of geese. There is a bond and a sense of community so that the whole church can advance more quickly and easily because each one is traveling on the lift of another. Christians take turns leading, doing the hard work, and there is encouragement rather than criticism from those following in the back. They make sure someone is staying with those who have lost their strength and just can’t fly for a while. They are the kind of churches that make it a point not to major on minor issues which often result in hurting one another and in shooting their own wounded. God has created each of us as unique individuals. He has created differences within each of us – with much variety. We must always recognize that and celebrate it, and along with that, we must also recognize that we have a oneness in Jesus Christ. We know that we have some pretty significant differences, and Christ makes it clear that we are to accommodate those differences. The reason we are able to do that is due to Christ’s love abiding in our hearts along with His gentleness, humility, and patience. In John 17, we are ushered into the chambers of Jesus’ prayer life. G. Campbell Morgan describes it as the “center of all the sanctities” This is an intimate exchange between two persons of the Godhead. It comes at a time when Jesus is about to face the cross. What is on His heart? What does He share with His heavenly Father? He is concerned about being glorified and glorifying His Father. He talks about authority and eternal life. And then He prays for His disciples. He prays that His joy will be fulfilled in them and that the Father should keep them from the evil one. He prays that they will be sanctified by the truth and that He will send them into the world. Then as Jesus continues, He prays for you and me. We find it in verses 21-23: "that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” Amen. Pastor Jeff
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