One particularly beautiful fall afternoon found me sitting on the balcony of my condominium. The day was crisp and clear, and as I sat back to take in the view, I noticed several Canada geese on the small lake below, squawking. Overhead, several more geese were coming into view, squawking intermittently in apparent response to the group on the lake. Eventually these airborne geese soared in low to join their newly discovered companions. It was a gathering I’ve observed many times in nature, and among various species, as individuals begin coming together for their long travels south.
I found myself thinking that there is a certain wisdom to how this works with geese. Individuals of like purpose naturally end up in the company of others who are on the same route. And their journey continues, with the protection, strength, and support of additional comrades. This phenomenon in nature hints, I think, at the law of God, which operates to unify and strengthen all His own vast spiritual creation.
It’s interesting, in this context, to recall that Jesus referred to his then and future followers as his flock, and to himself as the Shepherd. Christian Science teaches that the Shepherd Jesus spoke of was the eternal Christ, or God-influence, which moved and empowered the human Jesus and which inspired his teaching and unparalleled healing ministry.
