One Spring, a duck was flying north with a flock. In the Danish countryside that particular duck spotted a farmyard where tame ducks lived. The duck dropped down and he discovered these ducks had wonderful corn to eat. So, he stayed for an hour…then for the day…a week then went by and a month. Because the corn was so fine, this duck ended up staying the whole Summer at that farm. Then one crisp Autumn Day, some wild ducks flew overhead, quacking as they winged their way south. He looked up and heard them. He was stirred with a strange sense of joy and delight. Then, with all his might began flapping his wings and rose into the air, planning to join his comrades for the trip south.
All that corn had made the duck both soft and heavy. He could not manage to fly any higher than the barn roof. So, he dropped back to that farmyard, and he said to himself, “Oh well, my life here is good and the food is good!” After that in the Spring and in the Fall, that duck would hear wild ducks cry as they passed overhead, and for a minute, his eyes would look and gleam, and he would start flapping his wings almost without realizing it. Inevitably a day came, when those others would pass overhead uttering their cry and the now tame duck, ready for the farmer’s pot, would not pay the slightest attention. (The original source of this modern-dayparable is credited to the Danish philosopher, Soren Kierkegaard).
This parable serves to remind us of how complacency can sneak up on us, especially regarding our walk with Christ. Jesus warned the Church of Laodicea in the book of Revelation about this. “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.” (Revelation 3:15-19).
Over the past while we have been studying the marks of a true Christian from Romans 12. This Sunday the question that Romans 12:11 answers for us is: How should we serve the Lord? This verse calls us to examine our walk with the Lord. Have we become complacent, settling for the easy life at the “farmyard” or are we wanting what God expects from us?
This Sunday we meet for worship at 10:30 am. There will also be a Prayer Meeting before the service at 10:00am. Do join us!
Advanced notice: Church Membership Class, Both Sundays, 28 May & 4 June – 9:15 am. Everyone interestedin knowing more about our church is welcome.
Grace be with you,
Bruce Davie, Pastor/Elder