Winter is setting in and frost covers the grass in the morning. Leaves are falling and are seen blowing across the ground. The north wind howls with each passing day. Migrating birds fill the skies as they fly to warmer climates.

   As I have done often, I love to watch the geese fly south. Their "V" shaped formation, rhythmic motion, the passage back and forth of the lead bird, and the harmony in the flock's changes in direction are impressive. So when a group passed overhead recently, I paused and watched as they winged their way toward their southern retreats. Then something amazing caught my eye. Well after the formation I was watching had cleared my sight, a solitary goose was flying as fast as possible trying to catch up with the other birds. It was following the same line of flight. It was beating its wings at a much faster rate. However, I wasn't at all sure it was gaining on the other birds. This was the goose that was left behind. I don't know if it ever caught back up with the other geese.

   I do not know what separated this one goose from the others. I believe most of us know the feeling of being left behind. Even worse, most of us know the panic of wildly trying to catch back up with the "flock," no matter what the flock may be — a project on the job, some homework at school, a work piled up of some sort, an exercise and weight loss program, preparations for a trip, plans for Christmas, or a host of other possible things. As our panic enlarges, we try harder and attempt to work faster. Even then, it seems we only find ourselves more behind. Does God have anything to say concerning this matter?

    I believe messages spoken from heaven can be important to us in times when we feel like that deserted goose trying frantically to catch up with his flock.

I Peter 5:7  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. NIV

Palms 46:10  “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” NIV


(Continued)

    We sometimes fall behind because we are trying to work too quickly and trying too hard so that we find ourselves wasting our efforts, heading in the wrong direction, and grinding ourselves into dust. All of us need periods of relaxation and a new start, especially in the middle of our agitated moments when things most seem out of control and we feel that we are so far behind.

Josh 1:5 “No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you”. NIV

    God is at work in our lives and he is not about to desert us as we seek to live for him. Even through our mistakes and misfortunes, our Father is in the middle of our messes, working things out for our final good. While we may feel alone, we are not. If we look carefully, we will see evidence of our Father's presence, providence, and grace.

Matt 11:29-30“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” NIV

    Instead of trying to catch up in our own way, may we realize that the Lord wants to help us, make us sharper, and cleanse us so that we will be prepared for the journey ahead. So often we fall behind because we have lost focus on him or forgotten to follow his will. In those times when we fall behind, what we most need is iHm.

Plainly, don’t get short changed. Let’s be ready to meet our Maker. The Bible (in Acts) teaches that to avoid hell and gain heaven - one must: