Our friend goes out every morning and releases them from the pen and each evening he herds them back into the pen, mainly for their own protection. They live in a rural area and there are lots of predators looking for an easy meal.

This weekend I made a new observation about the proceedings. I don't know if it is always true with these types of animals, but our friend herded the ducks, but led the turkeys. He had to get behind the ducks and move from side to side to get them to go where he wanted them to go, while all he had to do is get close to the turkeys and they would follow him where ever he wanted them to go.

As I thought about that scene that played out before me, I wondered if I am more like a duck or a turkey. The ducks were beautiful; they were colored like Mallard ducks with the iridescent green heads and a partial ring around their necks, but they were independent, never stopped quacking (almost like they were arguing among themselves) and always running off to one side or another seemingly looking at whatever caught their attention for the moment. The turkeys, however, looked like wild turkeys — dark and not especially attractive, no colorful feathers, but they were easy to work with and followed along without complaint.

Which one best describes you?

I know that Jesus never referred to us as ducks or turkeys, but maybe that's because the folks he lived among didn't raise many of them. Ducks look good, but aren’t much on getting the message and obeying. Turkeys don't look so good, but they have no problem being obedient to what is asked of them. Which one would describe you in your Christian walk?

I realize that Jesus used the analogy of sheep and goats to describe those who obeyed and those who didn't for much the same reasons. Jesus described it this way (Matthew 25:31-33 KJV): When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. (You might want to read all the passage and see what Jesus requires of his followers in this context!)

I just wonder when God looks at me if he thinks trying to get me in to the gates of heaven is like herding ducks or turkeys?

What about you?

 

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© 2007 Russ Lawson, Messages from the Heart. All rights reserved.

Title: "Beyond Herding Ducks"
Author: Russ Lawson
Publication Date: August 11, 2007

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Russ Lawson is a former missionary to Africa and minister in Ohio. He now works with World Christian Literature Outreach and writes a weekly email devotional, Messages from the Heart. For more information about Russ, click here.

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