As with my friend Gary who I wrote about last week, this illustration has implications for us on many levels. On one level we suggest that it is the task of leadership to do exactly the same as the wild geese: to fly over the heads of those we lead in order to call them to the dangerous journey of mission and B4T in the name of God. To do this, we ourselves have to take flight and risk the long journey across continents. The task of leadership and by extension, the task of developing missional leaders, requires us to call people to do wild things – to remind them what they are made for.
On another level, the story reminds us that at bottom, we are disciples of Jesus Christ. The disciple too, has to join the journey of risk. In flying over the heads of the people in our culture, our task is to call them to the dangerous but marvelously instinctive journey to God through Jesus.
The twist in the tale is this: that while it has been observed that wild geese have become tame; it has seldom been observed that tame geese can become wild again. We need to beware of the anesthetizing and stultifying effects that Christendom, the tame, non-missional church, and our safe middle class-ness have had on us. Let’s follow the head of our flying V, Christ, and not be tamed by what the world or even the non-missional church has to offer us. What’s wild and of risk is also eternal!
PATRICK LAI and his family have worked in SE Asia for over 37 years. His experience in doing business with Jesus has brought him to understand the meaning of work and worship in the marketplace. He started 14 businesses in four countries, six of which are still operating. Patrick and his wife, May, mentor and coach businesspeople working where there are few or no Christians. Check out Patrick’s latest book, Workship, now available in paperback and e-book.