Published: November 21, 2008 12:28 pm      

FERN YARNICK | Church responsible for carrying on the call

BY FERN REED YARNICK

FYARNICK@YAHOO.COM

“ ... you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.”

Acts 1:8 (RSV)



If you look at the sky when autumn comes, you may be lucky enough to see geese migrating south.

The birds fly in a V formation allowing the flock to gain 71 percent flying speed over each bird flying alone.

When a goose flaps its wings, it creates “uplift” for the bird that is following.

When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back and another bird replaces it to lead the way.

The honking geese that are flying behind encourage those in front to keep up their speed.

If a goose becomes ill or falls to earth, two of the other birds drop out of formation and follow their fallen comrade.

They remain with the fallen goose until it is able to fly or it succumbs.

Their task completed – the grounded birds launch out on their own, or join another flock.

The early church mentioned in the book of Acts was very much like a flock of geese.

The people were committed to band together for one reason – to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Because of their close-knit formation, the members were able to spread the word much faster than going it on their own.

The Holy Spirit empowered these people to encourage and protect one another.

As the band of Christians moved forward, they could be seen and heard witnessing Christ’s love.

Churches today are just as responsible to carry on the call as their ancestors before them.

Like that flock of geese, we must let the spirit lead in support of one another, and band together in prayer.

Also, when a Christian drops out of the fold, several members must help lead him or her back to God.

Who knows how many might be saved – if we would take a lesson from those birds.



Fern Reed Yarnick is a freelance writer who reside in South Fork.