True for the Goose

This past Sunday the place of worship was not inside a walled sanctuary, but outside in an open air Pavilion.  Like the tabernacles remembered from camp meeting days, the Pavilion had no sides to shut out the creation all around it.  The service was called Boat Church as the people in attendance were mostly those camped at the State Park, or those who used their boats to take them from lakeside homes across the lake to the place of worship. 

 

What might surprise some was the fact that the Pavilion was filled to overflowing.  It was attended by 200 or so folks, a dozen dogs, and a flock of Canadian geese that did a noisy flyover shortly after the first song which was "I'll Fly Away."  While every one else was only focused on the preacher, this preacher got mentally side tracked with the flying geese and their honking.  In the moment I wondered if they were joining with us in offering their version of praising God.  The 148th Psalm has words that read,  "Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds....Let them praise the name of the Lord..."  (vs. 10, 12). 

 

In the midst of my mental holiday from the listening to the preaching, I decided the honking was suitable praise.  After all when any member of the creation does what it is supposed to do, it is bringing glory to God.  When Canadian geese do what Canadian geese were created to do, it is surely a manifestation of the creator God.  Fulfilling their purpose is surely heard and seen as praise by the Creator who brought them into being.  And, in the midst of my mental holiday, I also decided what is true for the goose is true for me and for you.