One minute we were cruising down the road with our trailer in tow — driving the speed limit, I might add! — And the next we were screeching to a halt only just in the nick of time to avoid disaster as a pair of Canada geese and what seemed like a dozen goslings emerged from the woods and began making their way across the road. It was impressive to see. First, the one we called “mamma” emerged, and squawking and flapping her wings, she almost flew over the black top. The much smaller balls of fluff made their way after her, and meanwhile, the one we called the “daddy” goose stood in the middle of the road with his wings protectively raised as the smaller versions of himself slowly ambled by. It wasn’t until the last gosling disappeared into the woods on the other side that “daddy” let down his wings, and with a vicious squawk in our direction, he darted after them.
It was interesting to see that the goslings didn’t seem at all worried as they crossed that road. They had utmost confidence in “daddy” to protect them from that threatening “monster” of the car/trailer housing this pair of human onlookers. They had no idea that if we hadn’t seem “mamma” emerge from the woods when we did, part of that perfectly little family would now be road kill…
As I watched this scene play itself out in front of our front bumper, I couldn’t help but think that this was the perfect illustration not only of God’s love, but also of how we should respond to it.
Each member of the human race is like those goslings, and the road they crossed is like the road of life. Though we may think of ourselves differently, we are all fragile, easy prey, seemingly eager to fall in the many traps and snares of the devil. Life throws us dangerous choices, and we tend to always make the wrong ones. And in case you think this isn’t you, remember: “…all people, whether Jews or Gentiles, are under the power of sin. As the Scriptures say, ‘No one is righteous— not even one.'” (Romans 3:9b-10 NLT). We are as defenceless against sin as those goslings were against the 3 tons of steel that make up our travel caravan! And just like the goslings didn’t even realize they were in danger, neither do we!
And so we all fall.
But God, in His wisdom and love, made a way. He sent His prophets, then His own Son, Jesus Christ, to lead the way. Just like “mamma” goose would have been the one to take the fall had my vehicle not responded so quickly to the pressure on the brakes, or had I not seen “mamma” emerge from the woods, Jesus took the fall for us: “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.” (1 Peter 3:18 NIV). He was brutally murdered, all for us:“But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.” (Isaiah 53:5-6 NLT).
That’s how much He loves each and every one of us!
But simply making a way for righteousness wasn’t enough for our God of love! Rather, He sent His Spirit to protect and guide us as we make our way over this road called “life”. Just like “daddy” goose stood in the middle of the road to ensure all of the goslings made it safely across, God’s Spirit is with us: “But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.” (John 14:26 NLT); and “And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today.” (Acts 2:33 NLT).
But I think the most impressive part of the entire illustration is the fact that those goslings never even gave a worried glance at our 3 ton hunk of steel. They had total confidence in “mamma” to make a way, and in “daddy” to protect them. They hadn’t a care in the world. They were totally living out Jesus’ instructions: “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 NLT).
How much more full of joy would our lives be if we were a bit more like those goslings, having complete faith in Jesus’ death on the cross, in the “Way” He has made, and having such complete faith in God to carry us through the trials of this world!
Have you become a “gosling”? Have you made the decision to follow Jesus Christ, the One who made the way, the One who shows us the way? Have you put your faith in God, humbly submitting all things to Him? If so then you can be sure that just like that family of Canada Geese, you will make it through this life. But if not, then you are still at risk of being run down by the sin that we all commit. If you’ve never given your heart to Christ, if you’ve never made Him the Lord and Savour of your life, why not consider doing it now? We invite you to answer the Saviour’s Call today!
If you have already given your heart to Christ, then we invite you to “come” to Jesus. Let Him carry the heavy burdens. Let Him give you the rest you crave. Then you, too, can meander through life without a care, ever knowing that your Heavenly Father is protecting you!
In His love,
Lyn
Lynona Gordon Chaffart
Moderator, Associate Director, Answers2Prayer Ministries.
