Most of us have grown up knowing that geese have a tendency to fly south in the winter to warmer climates. But have you ever understood the significance of the “V’ formation that they use during their flight? Here is what science has taught us as the reasons geese fly in formation.
As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately behind. By flying in a “V’ formation, the whole flock adds at least 71 percent greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.
I would further conclude that people who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and more easily when they are traveling on the thrust of others in similar formation. Such is the beauty of cooperation and mutual support.
This is exactly how I envision the faithful flock of friends who stand with us throughout the year in providing prayer and support to the Team RFC family of ministries. By flying in formation with us this year, you have allowed us to participate in more than 1,100 ministry opportunities, as our staff chaplains faithfully carry on the work that God has called us to do.
By the way, here are a few more beautiful lessons to be learned from the wonder of God’s creation and divine plan.
When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go alone—and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front. If we have as much sense as a goose, we too will stay in formation with those people who are headed in the same direction as we are.
When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point, as they cooperate in sharing the load. Whether we’re discussing people or geese flying south, it is sensible to help one another during times of demanding responsibilities.
Furthermore, geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to maintain their pace. Your faithful gift each month is your way of “honking” to encourage us to maintain the pace that we strive to keep.
Finally—and perhaps most important of all—when a goose gets sick or is wounded by gunshot and falls out of formation, two other geese fall out with that goose and follow it down to offer help and protection. They stay with the fallen goose until it is able to fly or until it dies, and only then do they launch out on their own or find another formation to continue their journey.
If we have the sense of a goose, we will stand by one another in the same way.
