A few days ago, I heard the honking of a flock of Canadian geese flying south for the winter. I stopped what I was doing and looked up. I watched them traverse the sky until they were out of sight and sound. Each year the geese are my first signal that fall is approaching.
As the geese were flying overhead, I sensed the Lord was speaking to me using the geese to gain my attention. The Lord was saying this will be a different change of season in our world. The unexpected will arrive catching many off balance and off guard. As the Lord spoke, I felt He was asking me to be prepared for what is coming by strengthening my faith in Him and making sure nothing was allowed to remain in my heart that was not in line with His will.
I write this to encourage each of us to look around us and discern the indicators of a coming change in spiritual seasons. 2024 will not be a typical year. It will be a year of dramatic change on the global stage and within the Church. The strength that comes from our ability to experience joy in the middle of the turmoil will become our witness of God’s presence in a confused and fearful world.
As the geese were flying over our home, I felt joy at the sound of their honking. To discern the indicators of a coming change in our world in areas like politics, economics, or personal relationships, our capacity to experience joy in the middle of what is coming will be the most accurate measure of our spiritual health.
“For the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).
I so easily take my eyes off the prize, have gotten my hopes up, only to be disappointed politically, economically, relationally. You remind me that real joy transcends these hopes and disappointments. Thanks, Nehemiah and Garris. To your spiritual health — and all of ours.
Love this. The goose is a symbol of the Holy Spirit in the Iona Community. How special and what timing our Lord has when he speaks to us. The times they are indeed a chsnging