But I’ve never seen a goose drown! My grandmother was fond of saying, “Some people don’t have the good sense that God gave a goose.” When you think about it, God gave the goose a lot of sense, sometimes more sense than some people display. Consider some of a goose’s characteristics that we should incorporate into our lives.

First – TEAMWORK enables geese to fly long distances. Have you noticed that migrating geese always fly in a “V” formation? Have you ever wondered why? The lead goose of the formation breaks the air and wind resistance making it easier for the other geese to fly. Scientists did a test in a wind tunnel and determined that geese flying in the “V” formation can fly 72% farther than a goose flying alone. When the lead goose gets tired, the flock rotates positions to give all a turn at leading and then resting. How did they learn to do that? God put it into their making – they are born with it.

Have you heard the thrill of honking geese as they are flying high overhead? They are encouraging one another to keep flying onward. Like geese we need teamwork in life. Paul addressed those who helped him as “true yoke fellows” – teammates who must work together in unity. He told them to help two women in the church to settle their disagreements and to work in harmony. (Philippians 4:1-3) Nehemiah led a delegation back to Jerusalem to admonish and help the people work together as a team and rebuild the walls. (Nehemiah) That is one of the reasons Jesus Christ instituted the church. (Ephesians 5:23; Romans 12) Only silly, foolish people think they can go it alone. (Ephesians 4:15-16)

Second – TENACITY is part of a goose’s make-up. Geese are good watch dogs. They begin to “honk” a warning for others when enemies approach. They are very alert and vigilant. Geese are very protective and will even attack predators to safeguard their loved ones. Do you show this same tenacity when the enemy approaches your loved ones? “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion walks about seeking whom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith. . .” (I Peter 5:8-9 KJV). Only senseless, foolish people do not watch and resist the devil’s attacks.

Third – TOGETHERNESS nurtures and protects geese. Geese mate for life and are faithful to each other. During migration, if one becomes too tired, sick, or injured, at least one or two stay behind with it until it is well or dies. Geese fly together and live in flocks. God has called His people a flock. “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd. He shall gather the lambs with his arm and carry them in his bosom and shall gently lead those that are with young” (Isaiah 40:11). Are you part of the Lord’s flock? (Psalm 23)

Fourth – a TRACKING and NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM is built within geese by their maker. Geese have had a natural GPS system since creation, long before NASA and automakers incorporated them. God created geese and other animals with an encoded ability to travel long distances and return to their ancestral nesting sites without getting lost.
God has also placed a spiritual GPS guidance system within each one of us. Our conscience is one aspect of our make-up. It tells us right and wrong. Unlike animals, man was created with a spirit. Our spirit searches and longs for God. Man can never be satisfied without God. He is lost and confused without God. Someone has said, “God has made man with a God-shaped hole in his heart that only God can fill.”

Foolish men try to travel through life without God. “The fool hath said in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (Psalm 14:1). Paul tells us, “For the truth about God is known in their hearts” (Romans 19-25).

Geese are not as silly as some people may think. They have teamwork, tenacity, togetherness, and a God given tracking and navigation system. They follow God’s guidance back to their nesting place. Be smarter than a goose and follow God to your resting place.

“Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Jesus calls you to his resting place. “Come unto me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28-30 NLT).