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A Citadel Filled with Geese
When geese migrate they fly in a “V” formation to provide more efficient aerodynamics for the entire group. These aerodynamics allow the geese behind the leader to glide more often which in turn helps conserve energy. By conserving energy the entire group can fly up to 70 percent further. The “V” formation also reduces air resistance, provides unobstructed views and enhances communication through close proximity. Also, the lead goose is not necessarily the leader of the flock. When the goose at the point of the “V” tires it drops to the back of the formation and another takes its place (boy, somebody should write about those leadership and group dynamic principles).
At least three geese are needed to create the benefits of the “V” formation. If one of the flock are injured or incapacitated in some way, needs to drop out of formation and land at least three others go with him. They will stay with their incapacitated comrade until he can either continue or dies. If he recovers, the four make a new flock and continue their migratory journey. If he dies, the three remaining geese then can then continue on still capable of utilizing a “V” formation.
It would seem that Christians are quite similar to geese in this regard…with some minor variations and one vital exception. We often flock together, but rather than maintaining a cooperative “V” formation we bump into each other like a gaggle of five year olds turned loose in amusement park bumper cars. Rather than taking a leadership position to allow others a much needed rest, we jostle about knocking our comrades out of our way to push forward our own leadership agenda. When we finally attain control of the group we will only relinquish that control when it’s wrestled it from our cold dead hands.
The most poignant difference between geese and Christians seems to come when one of us is sick or wounded. Like the geese, occasionally one of us is incapacitated in the spiritual battle. Sometimes we face a particularly difficult headwind and fatigue; sometimes we get winged by a hunter’s shotgun shell; or our incapacity might be of our own making. Whatever the reason, sometimes we need to drop out of formation and land with a thud.
And, just like geese three or four other “believers” will drop out and land with us. Not to stay with us while we heal and recover…but to finish us off. Not to continue you on in the journey as a team…but to put us out of their misery.
We Christians like to use militaristic analogies; heck, I’m using one for the very basis of this series of blogs. It’s a theme that runs deep through our rhetoric and often causes confusion with those who are not familiar with our jargon.
But, if we truly are in a spiritual war, if “Onward, Christian Soldiers” is our anthem then we are the only army who suffers that vast majority of its casualties from “friendly fire.” Think about it, for those of us that are “way inside” the church, where does most of the “fire” come from? When was the last time we were attacked by someone who isn’t an “insider?”
Part of the problem is that we “insiders” have precious little engagement with “outsiders.” Instead of being salt and light out in the “marketplace”, we’re huddled in our citadels getting on each other’s nerves. We’re not where we’re supposed to be. Jesus told us to go into the world and that He will provide “a comforter” to encourage us when we are attacked by “the world.”
Not being where he was supposed to be is what got David into trouble. “In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab…but David remained in Jerusalem. One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace…saw a woman bathing…David sent messengers to get her…he slept with her.” (2 Samuel 11:1-5) If he had just been where he was supposed to be, David would have avoided a whole bunch of trouble.
Can we really look down our noses at David? Should we really cluck our tongues at the one God called “a man after His own heart?”
We’re not where we’re supposed to be, either. We’re supposed to be out there rescuing people who may not even know that they need to be rescued! Instead, we’re cowering in our “fortresses” jamming our elbows in each other’s eyes while we try to pat our own backs in congratulations for the great building we built and the wonderful presentations we produce.
In all of Jesus’ parables I can’t find one reference to a citadel or fortress. In all of the New Testament I can only find defensive weapons that are used in hand to hand combat. We are instructed to guard our hearts, but not against other Christians. That’s because we aren’t intended to attack each other. I know it seems like this is a “duh” moment, but really! But, if it’s so obvious why do we attack each other so much?
Our churches are supposed to be places of refuge for the casualties we rescue, not ramparts to protect us from invading hordes. Churches aren’t going to be invaded. Satan couldn’t care less about our buildings. That’s why he lets us build so many without his opposition. No, he attacks when we get out into the world and start fighting a war of “insurgent love”. That’s why it’s so easy to “be” a Christian in a church building on Sunday, but so difficult to be one in the world during the week.
Unfortunately, that’s a false security. Our protection and provision doesn’t come from gathering with other “geese” in the safety of a barn. No, the Kingdom of God will only be advanced when we fly as He intended.
I started with an analogy of geese. Every analogy breaks down. This one breaks down in that it isn’t even remotely scriptural. But, maybe that’s the point. If we’re scriptural “birds”, then we’re eagles not geese.
“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. The will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:30-31
We attack each other because we’re tired…sick and tired. Why are we sick and tired? In spite of all of our good intentions, we’ve tried to “fly” with our own strength; whether it was our own personal strength or the strength of the flock or the strength of what we’ve built with our hands. But, all of that is vapor. Our strength in the rescue mission will be renewed through our hope in God through Jesus.
“God created us with an overwhelming desire to soar. Our desire to develop and use every ounce of potential He’s placed in us is not egotistical. He designed us to be tremendously productive and ‘to mount up with wings like eagles,’ realistically dreaming of what He can do with our potential.” – Carol Kent